Ante post backers hit by Faugheen and Min double defection

Ante post backers were dealt two huge body blows this afternoon when news broke that both Faugheen, Coral’s 2/1 favourite for the Champion Hurdle, and Min, 4/1 second favourite for the Arkle, will miss the Cheltenham Festival.

Buveur D’Air, who only a week ago was a leading contender for the JLT Novices’ Chase, has now taken over as Coral’s 3/1 favourite for the Champion Hurdle following the defection of Faugheen. His stablemate, Altior, has now shortened to 1/2 for the Arkle Trophy with Min no longer in contention for the race.

“The news that both Faugheen and Min will miss Cheltenham is a massive double whammy of a body blow for many ante post backers, although it’s quite the reverse for supporters of the Nicky Henderson pair Altior and Buveur D’Air,” Said Simon Clare, Coral Spokesman.

“Even by Cheltenham Festival standards it feels like more leading contenders then ever have been falling by the wayside, with Faugheen and Min joining the likes of Annie Power, Coneygree and Don Cossack on the sidelines, and some of the championship races are starting to look a bit light in terms of competitiveness which is a shame,” added Clare