Riverside Theatre has been forced to withdraw from the Cheltenham Festival (Poquelin 7/2f for the Ryanair Chase) after he suffered a fracture to his pelvis.

The seven-year-old was thought to have a big chance in the Ryanair Chase at next week’s showpiece national hunt meeting, after some recent impressive performances.

The Nicky Henderson-charge won the Betfair Ascot Chase in February, whilst also impressing when finishing second behind Long Run in the King George VI Chase.

A hairline fracture has put paid to the gelding’s chances of featuring at the Festival, although his trainer feels he will make a full recovery.

Henderson revealed: “It is an enormous shame as he was having a most promising season. He’s still young, though, and will hopefully have a huge career.”

Meanwhile, Solwhit has been pulled out of the field for next Thursday’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle (Big Bucks 4/5 ante post betting) after failing to impress in a Monday workout.

Trainer Charles Byrnes and connections have decided the seven-year-old, who was sixth in last year’s Champion Hurdle, was not “firing on all cylinders”.