Jockey Jason Maguire has had his appeal to overturn a 14-day ban under the 'non-triers' rule turned down.
The 34-year-old was deemed to have breached the rule at a race in Ludlow on February 18, but the decision was questioned by the Irishman who stood to miss out on the Cheltenham Festival for the second successive year.
However, his absence was confirmed on Thursday after his appeal was thrown out, meaning that he will be sidelined between March 4 and March 17.
Maguire missed last year's event after suffering a serious fall ahead of the meeting.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
