Racing: Racegoers at Ludlow were denied the chance to view potential steeplechasing star Racing Demon when the gelding was pulled out of an intended race today.
The news, when announced, drew sighs of disappointment from the crowd, who had come to the track hoping for a view of the six-year-old.
His absence cast a shadow over the race, which went to odds-on favourite Taranis, who just got the better of the determined Dickensbury Lad.
But trainer Henrietta Knight is adamant it was the correct decision to withdraw the horse.
"It takes five minutes to ruin a horse and years to get one up the ladder," she told the crowd over the course's public address system.
"I do feel awful for the people who have come here to see him today and I'm likely to be lynched as I leave, but please accept my reasons.
"I can assure you the horse is fine and I would invite you all over to the stables if you were allowed.
"But I am not prepared to risk him on ground that I consider to be good to firm or even quicker in places along the back straight."
Knight walked the course during the first race and showed the owners the section of the track about which she had her concerns.
"He needs more experience before he goes to Cheltenham, but today wasn't the day," she said.
"People must think I am a terrible wimp and maybe I did just lose my bottle again, but it is definitely firm over there and the owners understand I am not going to take any chances."
Racing Demon, favourite for Cheltenham's Arkle Chase, has now missed several planned engagements since Christmas as connections search for the right opportunity.