Connections of More Of That will not make an immediate decision on whether Jonjo O'Neill's charge will defend his crown in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle after he was found to have bled following a workout on Wednesday morning.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old stretched his unbeaten record to five when lowering the colours of Annie Power at last year's Cheltenham Festival, but was bitterly disappointing on his return in Newbury's Long Distance Hurdle in November.

More Of That has since undergone a breathing operation and it had been hoped he would return to Prestbury Park in March, but his participation is now in doubt.

McManus' racing manager, Frank Berry, said: "He bled after working yesterday morning and we'll just have to see how he is.

"You never know with these things. We might have more news later in the week."