Leading Weatherbys Champion Bumper contender Aspen Colorado will not run at Cheltenham next week.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained four-year-old is unbeaten in two starts, both at Leopardstown, but connections had warned his participation at the Festival was not guaranteed.

A decision has now been taken to miss the showpiece meeting, with the son of Galileo next due to be in action at Limerick in April.

Joseph O'Brien, who plays a major role in looking at his father's jumps string, tweeted: "I spoke with JP (McManus) and Frank (Berry, racing manager) this morning, Aspen Colorado will not go to Cheltenham and the plan is to go to Limerick on April 3rd."

The O'Briens are still due to be represented at Cheltenham by JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite Ivanovich Gorbatov