Saturday's Elite Hurdle field down to six as Goshen is ruled out

Goshen will not make his seasonal reappearance over hurdles this weekend in the Grade 2 Unibet Elite Hurdle at Wincanton, with the combination of an unsatisfactory scope and quick ground leading to his withdrawal.

The four-year-old, who won his first three over hurdles before infamously unseating Jamie Moore in last season's Triumph with the race at their mercy, had been lined up for Saturday's race after two prep runs on the Flat, but those plans had to be shelved on Thursday.

Goshen, flanked by Jamie and Gary Moore, will wait for AscotCredit: Mark Cranham

Trainer Gary Moore said: "We did scope him and it wasn't a perfect scope and with the ground being quick enough for him we decided not to run.

"He'll go to Ascot in a few weeks' time, that would be the next alternative. Wincanton is a very fast track, it's been pretty quick round there just lately and I didn't want to take any chances."

In Goshen's absence, previous Elite Hurdle winner Sceau Royal heads a field of six. Successful in the race in 2016, Sceau Royal will take on the Paul Nicholls-trained pair of Diego Du Charmil and Solo plus Brandon Castle, Master Debonair and Teqany.

Nicholls has a fantastic record in the Listed Badger Beers Silver Trophy Handicap Chase on the same card, having won it for the last three seasons, and the trainer has three chances of making it four in a row.

Present Man, who won the race in 2018 and 2019 with Bryony Frost aboard, heads the weights, and will be joined by stablemates Danny Whizzbang and My Way.

Danny Whizzbang (Harry Cobden, left) has the measure of Reserve Tank and Ardlethen starting up the run-in in the Ladbrokes John Francome Novices' ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The Flat turf season concludes at Doncaster on Saturday, and the Jim Goldie-trained Euchen Glen will have to concede weight all round in the Betfair November Handicap if he is to complete a hat-trick following recent victories at York and Newbury.

Favourite for the 1m4f race is the Ralph Beckett-trained Sam Cooke, who just failed in a similar contest at Ascot last time.

Saturday cards

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