PUTTY ROAD was pulled out of the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham at yesterday's forfeit stage after injuring himself at home. The David Nicholson trained gelding was a well fancied 7 to 1 shot for the extended three miles championship race on the strength of his battling Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle win last year and three runner up spots this season.

But Nicholson yesterday confirmed that the six year old would be out for the season.

"He injured his near fore joint last week and will be out until next year, but it is not too bad and he will be fine next season."

Another notable, removed from the entries of the Gold Cup, is the Martin Pipe trained Banjo. The trainer finally conceded defeat after wrestling with a muscle problem in the geldings hind quarters for some time and admitted that any future plans have been put on hold.