Malcolm Jefferson has pulled Dato Star out of today's Shell Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.
Fast ground at the Kildare track has meant a wasted trip for horse and trainer but he could still run in next Wednesday's Tote Chester Cup if conditions are right.
Jefferson said today: "It's too firm.
"We've walked the track and it's faster than good to firm in some places. I can't risk him.
"If the ground's right he'll run at Chester because he's bouncing.
"If the ground stays good we'll run him but if it's on the good to firm side he won't.
"If he doesn't run at Chester he'll be finished until the back-end - he has to have a break."
Rainbow High heads 24 horses who stood their ground at today's confirmation stage for the £100,000 handicap at the Roodeye.
Barry Hills' charge, winner of the race last season, is set to carry top weight of 9st 13lb and must give a stone to Top Cees, the next-highest rated contender.
Hills could also be represented by Prairie Falcon, who finished fourth behind his stablemate last year.
Top Cees, who runs for Ian Balding's stable and is in the care of the trainer's son Andrew, will be attempting to complete a hat-trick of victories in the race having won here for Lynda Ramsden in 1995 and 1997.
David Elsworth has the strongest hand with three possibles, Benatom, First Ballot and Salford Flyer.
James Fanshawe has Eilean Shona and Tensile in the contest while Hirapour and Ansar could represent Curragh trainer Dermot Weld.
Most notable of the withdrawals today was the Martin Pipe-trained Copeland, who finished third to What's Up Boys in the Stanley Cooker Championship Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday.
