Cheltenham is just around the corner but there is devastating news coming out of Carlow this afternoon.
Willie Mullins has confirmed that Faugheen will not defend the Champion Hurdle title he won in 2015.
Unfortunately #Faugheen will not run @Cheltenhamraces. He has a sore suspensory ligament
— Willie Mullins (@WillieMullinsNH) February 17, 2016
Injury will rule the classy mount out of action at Prestbury Park next month with the initial diagnosis understood to be a leg injury.
The horse was set to be a key part of any punter’s betting slip next month, and his absence will see a reordering of the favourites for one of the highlights of the National Hunt season.
BREAKING: Faugheen is out of #Cheltenham pic.twitter.com/tim9SxaS64
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) February 17, 2016
There has been a huge outpouring of shock this afternoon at the news.
Faugheen!! Out of Cheltenham 😫
— Alex Hammond (@skysportsAlexH) February 17, 2016
My heart is broken. Faugheen misses Cheltenham. I'm crying.
— Barry Dempsey (@barrydempsey2) February 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/Sam__Preen/status/699948615226302465
https://twitter.com/aftertimeansell/status/699949095025274882
The news came just moments after Annie Power had won her comeback race at Punchestown.
Ruby Walsh looked genuinely shocked when spoken to by At the Races when he described the news as “it’s like someone ripping the ace out of the pack and handing you the rest of the cards, that’s what it is.”
Ruby Walsh reflects on Annie Power's win & speaks briefly about the big news that Faugheen is out of the festival https://t.co/wrGbwO7k7T
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 17, 2016
