Grade One-winning hurdler L'Ami Serge will not make his eagerly-awaited debut over fences until the new year at the earliest.
Connections of the talented five-year-old, who features prominently in the betting for the Arkle Trophy, have been forced delay his chasing debut after he picked up a chest infection.
Last seen out finishing fourth behind Douvan in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding had previously struck at the top level after capturing the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown in January.
Assistant trainer Charlie Morlock said: "He had a little hold up. It was just a health thing. He got pretty close to having his first run, then he just picked up a chest infection so we had to back off him and he is slightly on the back-burner at the moment.
"It will be into the new year when he races, but he is back in full work. He is still showing that he has a huge amount of talent."
