Festival bumper winner Cheltenian has had a setback

CHELTENIAN, winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper and favourite to follow up in one of the big novice hurdles at next year's Cheltenham Festival, has had a setback and might not be seen this season, trainer Philip Hobbs said on Sunday.

The trainer said at his owners' day: "Unfortunately, Cheltenian sustained a minor strain his off-fore leg after winning at the festival and the probability is that he will be off until next year.

"It was only minor and the scans show he is almost fine but obviously we think a lot of him and , with that in mind, he is likely to be given more time to fully recover."

Cheltenian has beenaround 10-1 favourite in the betting for next year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle and Neptune Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

cheers for update

first of many I fear

Scans say he's almost fine but he's out for the season? Obv. their horse and can do what they want but I don't get it?

Dont understand that either tbh

Not sure it was a great bumper last year.

agree neil,100%.
not taking anything away from Cheltenian though,he's always been touted as a top class prospect,

Yes, I too wonder aboout what was behnd him, but I've no doubt he'd be useful, he looked like the Neptune favourite all over.