Jane Chapple-Hyam has withdrawn Yellowstone from the 2008 Melbourne Cup.

After a week spent wrangling with Victoria Racing Club authorities over the fitness of her Melbourne Cup entry, Chapple-Hyam finally conceded defeat on Monday after vets raised fresh concerns over the injuries suffered by Yellowstone in his stall last week.

“Obviously it is very disappointing that Yellowstone won’t be running,” Chapple-Hyam said today. “We’ve come a long way but the horse’s welfare is the most important thing and we are just going to have to take it on the chin.”

Meanwhile Aidan O’Brien has raised doubts about Septimus’ participation in the 2008 Melbourne Cup, claiming that he’s prepared to pull his runner out of the race if the Flemington Park turf doesn’t soften up by Tuesday morning.

O’Brien has raised concerns about his runner’s safety on a fast track, telling reporters: “It’s fast ground, the track’s in unbelievable order and we know the guys are doing everything in their power to produce a safe track. All I’m worrying about is I want to have Septimus when he goes home.”