Mark Bradstock’s Letcombe Bassett yard, near Wantage, has been dealt a huge blow with stable star Carruthers ruled out of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

The six-year-old gelding was one of the leading fancies for the £200,000 showpiece at around the 10-1 mark.

But now he will miss the big race after scoping badly. Bradstock’s wife, Sara, said: “He won’t be running. He had a mucky scope, which has broken everybody's hearts.

“It was a precautionary scope after working, but it was mucky and for a race like this you need to be 100 per cent.”

Carruthers was bred and is part-owned by Lord Oaksey, who was hoping for a fairy-tale success, having piloted Taxidermist to victory as amateur rider John Lawrence 51 years ago.

Meanwhile, Ruby Walsh is excited about the prospect of teaming up with Denman in the Hennessy Gold Cup, despite the fact his mount is forced to carry top weight.

Paul Nicholls’s nine-year-old gelding won the 2007 renewal under Sam Thomas, and Walsh said: “I can't wait to ride him.

“He’s got a huge weight and a huge task in front of him on Saturday, but I can’t see too many other horses being up to it really.

“Obviously he’s a lot higher in the ratings now – he’s nearly a stone higher than the last time he won the Hennessy.

“He’s a big, strapping horse and hopefully he’ll put in a good performance.”

Hennessy Gold Cup (Sky Bet odds): 7-2 Denman, 11-2 Barbers Shop, 6-1 What A Friend, 7-1 Killyglen, 8-1 Cappa Bleu, 14-1 Gone To Lunch, 16-1 State of Play, 20-1 Casey Jones, Horner Woods, Ballyfitz, Nenuphar Collonges, 25-1 bar.