Racing:Top-class staying hurdler Fiveforthree has been ruled out for the season after failing to impress his trainer Willie Mullins.
The seven-year-old grey, winner of the 2008 Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham and Punchestown's Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle in April, has not made sufficient progress following a setback at the end of last season.
However, Mullins remains confident Fiveforthree will return to action next term when he will go novice chasing.
"We just decided not to go any further. We were hoping he would make it back for the second half of the season," said Mullins.
"Every other year he seems to come back, but he just hasn't taken his training well. There is no further damage or injury. We have just decided it would be prudent not to continue.
"We won't be in training but he will have light exercise.
"Hopefully he will have a full campaign next season and he will go chasing then."
Fiveforthree had been quoted the 8-1 third favourite for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with Stan James.