There will be no seeing these big names at racing's greatest show

Finian's Oscar is the latest big name added to a list of high-quality horses who will miss the Cheltenham Festival.

His own stablemate Thistlecrack was forced out of the Timico Gold Cup, a race that will also be run without last year's winner Don Cossack, who has been forced into retirement, as well as 2015 scorer Coneygree plus Don Poli, Valseur Lido and the ill-fated Vautour.

The Stan James Champion Hurdle has been hit just as badly, with Annie Power and Faugheen, the last two winners, both out and Superb Story also missing.

And Sprinter Sacre will not be back to defend his title in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, in which Ar Mad is another notable absentee.

Novice chasers Min and Coney Island plus top bumper horse Getabird are others highly touted contenders who will be staying at home when the action gets under way next week.