Paul Nicholls today claimed he was "not shocked or surprised" at the loss of leading two-mile chaser Flagship Uberalles.
He admitted he was disappointed at the switch of the Queen Mother Champion Chase third to Noel Chance's yard, along with two other horses owned by Americans Michael Krystofiak and his wife Elizabeth Gutner.
But Nicholls, who trained the six-year-old to win four races last season including the Mitsubishi Shogun Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown and Game Spirit Chase at Newbury, was philosophical about the move.
"Contrary to Press reports this morning I am not shocked or surprised that the horses have been taken away from me as I thought there was a possibility it may happen over the next few weeks," Nicholls said.
"I am obviously disappointed to lose a horse of Flagship Uberalles' class as, I'm sure, every other trainer would be. But it's the owner's prerogative who trains their horses and that's it.
"I wish Michael and Elizabeth the best of luck for the future with their new trainer and I shall be monitoring all the horses progress with interest."
Flagship Uberalles was bought privately for an undisclosed sum by Krystofiak and Gutner in the spring of last year.
He gave the pair an immediate return with wins in the Guinness Arkle Trophy Chase at Cheltenham and Sandeman Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree in the owners' distinctive "stars and stripes" colours.
After his defeat when favourite for the Champion Chase Flagship Uberalles was pulled up on his last two starts but Krystofiak would not use that as justification for moving the gelding from Nicholls.
"When I told him on Monday he said he thought he was entitled to a reason but I said no because it's best for everyone that our reasons are not given," he said.
"Giving causes can lead to silly finger-pointing and I hate that sort of behaviour.
"People will speculate that it was because the horse lost his form but that wasn't the case."
Chance, who took charge of Flagship Uberalles plus the owners' Executive Decision and Strawberry Hill on Tuesday, was chosen due to his exploits with the likes of Mr Mulligan and Looks Like Trouble.
Krystofiak said: "We selected Noel as our trainer because we don't think he got the credit he deserved for winning two Cheltenham Gold Cups and a Royal & Sun Alliance Chase.
"To do that from such a small base underlines what a brilliant trainer the man is."
Chance's wife Mary admitted that the news of the gelding's switch had come "out of the blue".
"We're absolutely thrilled - he must be one of the best horses in England," she said.
"It was just a telephone call out of the blue.
"He's gone out to grass and we'll probably bring him back in mid-August."
