Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has cancelled his pre-Cheltenham media day as some of his horses are coughing.
Nicholls had been due to throw open the doors of his Ditcheat yard to the massed ranks of the media on Wednesday as the countdown to the National Hunt Festival begins in earnest.
But he revealed on Monday that the event has had to be called off.
He said: "It is fairly obvious that we had a moderate weekend. We have several horses coughing and my first priority is to the owners in my yard.
"It is my duty to leave no stone unturned now as we prepare for the last three weeks before The Festival and, in these circumstances, we do not feel it is appropriate to invite the media on Wednesday.
"I am very sorry for any inconvenience this causes, but I hope that all concerned will understand that my horses and owners must come first."
As ever Nicholls has an all-powerful team being prepared for the Festival, headed by two-time Gold Cup winner Kauto Star and three-time World Hurdle hero Big Buck's.
