Havingotascoobydo out of Cheltenham Festival

HAVINGOTASCOOBYDO, the 8-1 ante-post favourite for the Listed Pulteney Land Investments Novices' Handicap Chase, has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival after damaging some muscles in his back while schooling.

Trained by Martin Keighley, the seven-year-old was last seen chasing home Ciceron over hurdles at Sandown last month having previously fallen at Cheltenham when favourite for the Victor Chandler Handicap Chase.

Writing on Twitter on Monday, Keighley said: "Havingotascoobydo damaged some back muscles schooling and won't be back in time for Cheltenhamso we've decided to finish him for the season.

"The whole team are so disappointed as he was going there with such a great chance."