THE Storyteller has suffered a setback which has ruled him out of the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday.

His enforced absence is another blow to ante-post punters as the six-year-old was a strong market leader at a general 4/1. The Storyteller had won his last two races, at Down Royal and at Thurles, by an aggregate of 18 lengths.

Trainer Gordon Elliott told his Betfair blog: ''Unfortunately, The Storyteller pulled a muscle while exercising this morning and will not make it to the Festival."

GOLD CUP

Djakadam is on the list of 14 contenders for Friday's Grade 1 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup, the feature event on the final day of the Festival. Willie Mullins' charge has finished second in the last two Gold Cups and he is one of five Irish-trained possibles in this year's renewal.

Gordon Elliott was forced to rule Don Poli out on Friday but he still has Outlander and Empire Of Dirt in the mix. Jessica Harrington's Sizing John and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Champagne West are other leading hopes from Ireland.

Stablemates Cue Card and Native River will lead the home challenge for Colin Tizzard. The pair have been battling it out at the head of the market after Cue Card emerged an impressive winner of the Ascot Chase last time.

Native River added to his Hennessy and Welsh National successes when winning his prep race in the Denman Chase at Newbury.

Paul Nicholls, who has won the race four times, relies upon outsider Saphir Du Rheu and while stable jockey Sam Twiston-Davies is pleased to take the ride, he rates Djakadam as the horse he would most like to partner.

He told ITV4's The Opening Show: "We have Saphir Du Rheu, but with the top three, they could be very hard to beat. I ride Saphir Du Rheu but if (I wasn't), I would like to be on Djakadam. He's been there before, his form is rock-solid and he's been freshened up for the race. There's a lot to like about him."

The rider's father, Nigel Twiston-Davies, won the race with Imperial Commander back in 2010 and has Bristol De Mai in contention this time.

Jonjo O'Neill is doubly represented with Minella Rocco and More Of That, while the list of hopefuls is completed by Irish Cavalier, Smad Place and Tea For Two.

ALBERT BARTLETT

Hot favourite Death Duty is one of 38 horses still in contention for the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle on Friday.

Gordon Elliott's charge is unbeaten in four starts over hurdles this term and following a Grade 1 victory at Naas back in January, he is a final-day banker for plenty of punters.

He beat the Willie Mullins-trained Turcagua that day and he could be in opposition once again as he is one of 14 still in the race for the Irish champion handler, along with Augusta Kate who crashed out at the final flight when holding every chance at Naas.

Barcardys is another well-fancied Mullins hope, while Nigel Twiston-Davies' Wholestone and the Colin Tizzard-trained West Approach are the leading home-trained hopes.

Mullins' Let's Dance is the most notable withdrawal, but she has a handful of other options next week.

TRIUMPH HURDLE

Ante-post favourite Defi Du Seuil features among 23 horses left in the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle on Friday following the confirmation stage.

Philip Hobbs' charge, owned by JP McManus, has won all his five starts to date and will bid to give his trainer a third success in the four-year-old championship after Made In Japan (2004) and Detroit City (2006).

Alan King has Coeur De Lion and Master Blueyes in contention as he, too, seeks a third win after Penzance (2005) and Katchit (2007).

Gordon Elliott, who struck with Tiger Roll in 2014, has Dinaria Des Obeaux and Mega Fortune.

Other Irish entries include Willie Mullins Bapaume and Dandy Mag, Ellmarie Holden's Ex Patriot and Long Call from Tony Martin's stable.

Joseph O'Brien, who supervised Ivanovich Gorbatov to land the spoils for his father Aidan 12 months ago, has Landofhopeandglory in his own right now he has taken out a trainer's licence.

Seven Barrows trainer Nicky Henderson has Charli Parcs and Soldier In Action as he attempts to add to his record tally of six victories, while The Queen's colours are set to be carried by Forth Bridge, trained by Charlie Longsdon.

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