Charles Byrnes has confirmed his dual Cheltenham Festival hero Weapon’s Amnesty has been retired from racing after suffering another injury.

Master Minded successfully defended his Seasons Holidays Champion Chase crown at Cheltenham to become the first horse since Viking Flagship in 1995 to retain the two-mile championship.

Cheltenham clerk of the course Simon Claisse has warned that the 2009 Festival could get underway on soft ground should the forecast rain arrive ahead of Tuesday’s curtain-raiser.