Leading Ultima hope Lieutenant Rocco ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival

Nick Mitchell says his team have been left "devastated" after leading Ultima Handicap Chase fancy Lieutenant Rocco was found lame on Saturday morning, ruling him out of next week's Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old had progressed well in his novice chase campaign, and his stylish eight-length win at Ffos Las last month had made him as short as 11-2 for the handicap on Tuesday.

Mitchell, who trains just 14 horses from his Dorset base, was particularly excited for the race and he believed he had a great chance of landing a first winner at the meeting.

The trainer said on Saturday morning: "I've not been thinking about anything else for the last month. For such a small yard to have a horse like him and with quite a good following it's just devastating for everybody.

"It's come to light this morning and we'll investigate further over the weekend. It's lameness which means we can't prepare him for his engagements at Cheltenham, we've been given no choice but to scratch him.

“We hope it won't be serious and we'll know more next week. Everything's up in the air, we keep our fingers crossed and hope this is as minimal as possible."

With stable star Lieutenant Rocco out, attention now falls on Thursday’s Kim Muir runner Milanford, who is a best-priced 20-1 shot.

“We move on, we've still got Milanford in the Kim Muir who I think has got a great each-way chance and we've got to take what we've got," Mitchell added.

Nick Mitchell: resumed his training career this season

Mitchell, who enjoyed Grade 1 success in Ireland with 2009 JNWine.com Champion Chase winner The Listener, resumed his training career last year from new premises near Sherborne in Dorset, having relinquished his licence at the end of the 2018-19 jumps season.

He returned with a team of 14 horses and has had two winners from 42 runners this season, with a further 12 finishing second or third.

The Kim Bailey-trained Happygolucky has been left as the 4-1 favourite for the Ultima following the news of Lieutenant Rocco's absence, with Escaria Ten, Aye Right and One For The Team also prominent in the market.

Read more on the 2021 Cheltenham Festival:

'I've got so much faith in him' - Bass reveals Cheltenham plan for Vinndication

Paul Nicholls: I'm convinced Frodon has a chance in Cheltenham Gold Cup

Top bookmakers reveal their biggest liabilities at the Cheltenham Festival

Ten things we'll miss at the Cheltenham Festival (and ten we won't)

Fergal O'Brien hoping for festival first with 'best chance' Imperial Alcazar

Virtual Cheltenham Festival preview nights: full list of events you can watch

Five strong form lines that could have an impact on the Cheltenham Festival

Get clued up with the latest Cheltenham Festival tips and odds with our free microsite. The best Cheltenham betting advice and exclusive free betting offers all in one place.