Cheltenham Festival 2019: Samcro ruled out of the Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle by Gordon Elliott

The seven-year-old had been as short as 5-1 for the Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle.

The horse, who won last year's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, has had a disappointing campaign.

He was found to be suffering from a lung infection after finishing fifth in the Irish Champion Hurdle.

Despite that setback, Elliott had been hoping to get Samcro ready for the three-mile Grade 1.

But the top trainer has now admitted defeated in his battle to get the gelding ready for the Festival.

Elliott said in his Betfair blog: "Unfortunately we are going to have to skip Cheltenham with Samcro.

"He's in very good form and I am pleased with how he has been doing in his work over the last few weeks.

"However, Cheltenham is just going to come a week or two too soon.

"At the best of times you've got to be absolutely spot on for Cheltenham and while Samcro is in very good shape myself, Michael and Eddie(O'Leary) feel that the right thing to do by horse is to give him more time."

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