Cheltenham Festival 2015: Rock on Ruby to miss World Hurdle

Rock On Ruby won the Champion Hurdle in 2012

Rock On Ruby will miss Thursday's World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after working badly on the gallops at trainer Harry Fry's Dorset stables.

Fry has described the 2012 Champion Hurdle winner as "not himself".

The trainer will now look to get the nine year old a race at next month's Grand National Festival at Aintree.

In other Festival news, Ruby Walsh will partner the Willie Mullins-trained favourite Faugheen - and not Hurricane Fly - in Tuesday's Champion Hurdle.

Paul Townend will ride Mullins' Hurricane Fly, on whom Walsh won the race in 2011 and 2013.

Walsh said of Faugheen: "I can only ride one. He's in good form and the one I want to ride."

There were no notable defections at the latest confirmation stage for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Silviniaco Conti topping the 18 horses still in contention for Friday's Grade One race.

Ballycasey, Champagne Fever, First Lieutenant, Spring Heeled, Theatre Guide and Ma Filleule were all taken out of the race, which attracted no supplementary entries.

Silviniaco Conti is set to run in the race for the third time and will be joined by his fellow Paul Nicholls inmate Sam Winner.

Last year's winner Lord Windermere will try to defend his title - with Bobs Worth, who was successful two years ago, also set to run again.