Henry De Bromhead believes he has found a reason for Sizing Europe's sudden capitulation in the Champion Hurdle.
The red-hot favourite appeared to be travelling best of all two flights from home yesterday but stopped suddenly and was virtually pulled up on the run-in.
"He looked to be going really well so obviously it was a bit disappointing," said De Bromhead. "Whether he would have won or not I don't know, but he looked to be going really well.
"When he first trotted this morning he looked lame behind for about five steps which I was quite pleased about because I thought we had a reason.
"But when I did it again he came sound, so I thought I had imagined it. He did the same for the racecourse vet, though.
"So he examined him and pressed down on a joint in his back where he was very sore, so that looks like the problem.
"I had a mare who did the same, Beau Bridget, and it really affected her but she ended up winning two. It's behind the saddle and into the hind quarters," he told At The Races.
Alan King's diminutive Katchit won the race in the most determined fashion.
Last year's Triumph Hurdle victor arrived at Prestbury Park trying to become the first five-year-old since See You Then in 1985 to claim the big one.
Showing all his battling qualities and continuing his love affair with Cheltenham, the little fighter was driven by Robert Thornton to a length success from Osana, who had set out to make all and after looking beaten still emerged as the main challenger after the last.
Former champion Sublimity ran a game race for John Carr in fourth but the trainer was inclined to believe the rain-softened ground cost him any chance of victory.
"He ran a really good race, he just doesn't get up the hill in that ground," said Carr. "He can't jump as well in that ground, but he still looked the likely winner turning in.
"He still emerged as the best of the Irish though and as long as the ground suits we'll go to Punchestown."