Trial winner Urgent De Gregaine ruled out of cross-country chase

France's chances of a Cheltenham Festival winner suffered a severe blow on Saturday when Emmanuel Clayeux decided against returning to Cheltenham for the Glenfarclas Chase with Urgent De Gregaine, who scored on trials day at 50-1 under Felix de Giles.

Urgent De Gregaine had been trading as short as 8-1 to follow up but Clayeux, who has targeted the meeting in recent seasons, said he was unhappy with the nine-year-old's final piece of work.

"He worked this morning and he was a little stiff and is not at 100 per cent," said Clayeux. "I don't want to go to Cheltenham just to finish sixth. I made the decision with a heavy heart but you have to know when to stay at home and not make a mistake in this profession."

French trainers accounted for four of the 25 entries at the six-day stage but the Philippe Cottin-trained Amazing Comedy is the last left standing.

On Friday Patrice Quinton ruled out both Gallo's Star and Parc Monceau.