Cheltenham Gold Cup outsider Edelweis du Moulin is out for the rest of the season with a recurring leg problem.
The Robert Ogden-owned gelding was last seen in racecourse action when scoring impressively at Aintree last April and was about to go back into training with Venetia Williams.
Ogden's racing manager, Barry Simpson, said: "It's extremely disappointing for all concerned. He's a horse of great talent and it had been hoped that his problems were over.
"He appeared to have recovered fully from the tendon trouble which restricted his racecourse appearances to just two last season.
"But he was scanned yesterday, prior to hopefully returning to Venetia Williams' yard, and a number of stress-related problems were diagnosed by the vets."
Formerly trained by the late Gordon Richards, Edelweis du Moulin easily lifted the Perrier Jouet Handicap Chase at Aintree's Grand National meeting last term and it had been hoped he would return to action at this season's Cheltenham Festival.
"We have been very patient with him and given him every possible chance to recover, so it's a great shame that he is now out for the season," added Simpson.
