Weapon’s Amnesty faces a race against time to be fit for the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup (8/1 Gold Cup 2011) after being given a year off to recover from a ligament injury.

The seven-year-old, which is owned by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, was set to be pitched into the Gold Cup after romping home by seven lengths to win the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March. However trainer Charles Byrnes revealed that Weapon’s Amnesty picked up the injury when defeating Burton Port into second place in the Grade One RSA Chase.

Byrnes told the Racing Post: “Weapon’s Amnesty sustained a ligament injury at Cheltenham and has not made the recovery we had hoped for. We have decided to give him the year off.”

It could be a real blow because there were high hopes that Weapon’s Amnesty could emulate Denman’s past progress after the runner followed up its RSA Chase success by securing the blue riband in the 2008 Gold Cup.

Kauto Star (5/1 Gold Cup 2011) and Imperial Commander (5/1) remain the race favourites, while Denman (8/1) is third on Betfred.

However novice chasers, including What A Friend, Planet of Sound, Somersby, Long Run and Punchestowns are expected to make a real challenge next year.