Limestone Lad has - as expected - been taken out of next month`s Bonusprint Stayers` Hurdle.
Owner / trainer James Bowe has admitted defeat and taken the popular 10-year-old out of the Cheltenham contest at the forfeit stage.
The horse suffered a back muscle injury at home last month.
The 10-year-old is the most notable withdrawal revealed today for the nine Grade One events at the National Hunt Festival.
A total of 30 horses stand their ground in the Tote Gold Cup, with the injured First Gold taken out along with Grand National candidate Paris Pike.
Treble winner Istabraq heads 28 left in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, from which one-time leading fancy Arctic Owl is a defector.
Tiutchev, who missed last Saturday's Ritz Club Chase at Ascot due to colic, remains in the Queen Mother Champion Chase but 2000 runner-up Direct Route has been taken out.
Greenhope, unbeaten in three races over hurdles for Nicky Henderson, is the most notable absentee from the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
The Cheltenham festival runs from March 12th-14th.
PA