Structure Hill will miss the Unibet Worldwide Hurdle at Cheltenham this month after an unsatisfactory scope, coach Nicky Henderson has confirmed.
The reigning champion hurdler made a profitable reappearance within the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, when he prolonged his unbeaten run to eight with the minimal of fuss.
Henderson had raised the prospect of a second outing earlier than his Cheltenham Competition date in March, with the Unibet Worldwide Hurdle – rescheduled from the December assembly to Trials day on January 27 – an possibility.
Nonetheless, a minor subject has put paid to that risk, with the Seven Barrows coach now plotting a direct course to his Champion Hurdle defence on March 12, for which he’s the lengthy odds-on favorite.
Henderson posted on X: “We’ve got reluctantly determined that Structure Hill will not have the ability to run within the Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham on the finish of subsequent week.
“A routine scope final week wasn’t solely passable and a follow-up this morning exhibits the problem hasn’t resolved and subsequently there wouldn’t be time to get him prepared for subsequent week.
“Within the meantime he’ll proceed with mild train, be re-scoped in a fortnight’s time after which begin his preparation for March.
“Both Michael and I and all the team had very much hoped for a better result this morning so that we could run on Saturday week but in the horse’s and indeed everybody’s interests, it would be foolish to do so and this does not effect any future plans.”