CHAMPION Hurdler Collier Bay is virtually certain to miss today's Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham because the ground is too firm.

Unless there is an unexpected change in the weather trainer Jim Old will postpone his charge's comeback and possibly delay his reappearance until the New Year.

Old walked the course at Cheltenham yesterday and though he had no complaints about the track, the going as it is will be too fast for Collier Bay.

"There will have to be an awful change in the weather for him to run," he said.

"There have been far worse disasters than missing the Bula Hurdle. He didn't appear until after Christmas last year. There are two handicaps at Ascot and Haydock the same day on December 21st or there is the Haydock trial or Irish Champion Hurdle."