Nictory Vote out of Fred Winter

Nictory Vote has been ruled out of the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Paul Nicholls-trained four-year-old was second favourite for next Wednesday’s contest but has suffered a late setback.

Nictory Vote, a winner at Taunton last month on his sole start in the UK, has sustained a small crack in one of his knees.