The Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase on Cheltenham's Wednesday card has been abandoned due to ground conditions.

A statement from Cheltenham on Wednesday morning said: "Following 11mm of rainfall throughout yesterday, there has been no improvement in the conditions on the Cross-Country course and with areas of the track unraceable, the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase has sadly been abandoned.

"The forecast for the remainder of the week continues to look unsettled, with further showers likely on both Thursday and Friday. There will therefore be insufficient improvement to the Cross-Country course by Friday 15th March, and the decision has been taken not to reschedule the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase at the Festival."

As a result of the abandonment, Wednesday's racetimes have been revised as follows:

• Race 1: 1345

• Race 2: 1430

• Race 3: 1515

• Race 4: 1600

• Race 5: NA

• Race 6: 1650

• Race 7: 1730

The going on the Old & New course is soft, heavy in places.

Henderson woes

There was further bad news for racegoers and punters on Wednesday morning when trainer Nicky Henderson revealed that he has withdrawn Jonbon from the Champion Chase, plus two other runners from supporting races on the card, due to concerns over the wellbeing of his horses.

On Tuesday five ot the six Henderson-trained runners on the card were pulled up, the exception being Luccia who finished third in the Champion Hurdle.

Henderson said: "I'm afraid we've had to make some very tough decisions following the very disappointing performances of all bar one of our horses yesterday.

"It was there for all to see that there's obviously something affecting nearly all our horses and consequently we have reluctantly decided that Jonbon, First Street and Kingston Pride will not run today.

"It's impossible to identify any reason for all the disappointments and none of these three horses have given us any cause for concern and all yesterday's runners were scoped clean post-race and I'm glad to say all are sound this morning. There will unfortunately be further non-runners on Thursday and Friday.

"I hope everybody will appreciate that we have to do this in everybody's interests, particularly the horses. It is very, very disappointing for everybody."

El Fabiolo, trained by Willie Mullins, is now the 1/3 favourite for the Champion Chase.

At around 9.30am Henderson issued a further statement, ruling Shishkin out of the Gold Cup and withdrawing Champ from the Stayers' Hurdle.

"Very sadly it will not be possible for Shishkin to run in the Gold Cup on Friday," he said. "He was scoped, as have all our potential runners this week, but unfortunately he has shown an unsatisfactory picture on which he couldn't possibly run.

"He appears to be 100% in himself and has been working and schooling better than ever, and we really were looking forward to Friday. It is hoped that, along with all the other non-participants this week, that they will be back in time for Aintree or Punchestown.

"Regrettably Champ has also succumbed and will not run in tomorrow's Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle and the equivalent race at Aintree could be on the agenda."