Nicky Henderson's Sprinter Sacre will not run at Cheltenham on Sunday due to the deterioration in ground conditions.
The six-year-old is unbeaten in five chase starts and was due to make his eagerly-awaited seasonal reappearance in the Shloer Chase.
But with the ground at Prestbury Park officially changed to soft, heavy in places, the Lambourn trainer told Racing UK: "Sadly this ground has gone against us."
He added: "It's very unfortunate, it's just because it's their first runs of the year. I've got three weeks to the Tingle Creek (at Sandown on December 8) - if he goes and gets a hard race here I've probably blown the Tingle Creek.
"In this ground it would be an awful thing to do, it's not fair on the horse.
"Raymond and Caroline (Mould, owners) and Barry (Geraghty) and I have all come down on the same side.
"He's all ready to go, but we're not going to."
13 May 2013
Fabre confirms Ocovango for EpsomAspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout
12 May 2013
No hurry for Jammy plansGuest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning
11 May 2013
Felix foot-perfect on fencing debutCavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory
10 May 2013
Telescope focus is on DanteBlinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests