Old Guard won't feature in Tuesday's Champion Hurdle after failing to recover from a minor injury.
Trainer Paul Nicholls had intended to wait until this morning to see if he was able to race, but instead withdrew him last night, citing soreness as the issue.
Sadly Old Guard is sore this evening and will not run in the Champion Hurdle Tuesday.
— Paul Nicholls (@PFNicholls) March 13, 2016
Will try to get him ready for Aintree.
— Paul Nicholls (@PFNicholls) March 13, 2016
This means that only 12 will compete the Champion Hurdle, with Willie Mullins-trained Annie Power leading the market.
The mare was supplemented for defending champion Faugheen, who was withdrawn with injury.
Ruby Walsh will ride Annie Power, the number one for the Mullins team, with Paul Townend aboard stablemate Nichols Canyon.
Sempre Medic will also represent Mullins.
The New One, Identity Thief and long-absent My Tent Or Yours will also be in the 12-strong field.
