Cheltenham Festival 2015 latest: More Of That out of World Hurdle

More Of That ruled out of World Hurdle:
Connections revealed today that More Of That will not defend his World Hurdle crown at next month’s Cheltenham Festival .
Nothing has gone right for the seven-year-old this season, who lost his unbeaten record on his only run of the current campaign at Newbury.
The Jonjo O’Neill trained gelding underwent a breathing operation after that defeat, and was seemingly on the comeback trail until it emerged two weeks ago that he had bled following a piece of work.

It was then a race against time to get More Of That to the Festival, but O’Neill is still not 100% happy with him and today admitted defeat and ruled him out for the rest of the season.
More Of That had been 5/1 with Coral to retain his crown. Annie Power, who also holds an entry in the Mares’ Hurdle, is now the 4/1 favourite for the 3m contest in which Coral are offering the security of NRNB.
The Paul Nicholls trained pair of Saphir De Rheu and Zarkandar are next best in at 9/2 and 5/1 respectively.

Walsh believes Champagne’s course form a major plus:
Jockey Ruby Walsh believes Champagne Fever’s course form will be an asset when he lines-up at the Cheltenham Festival, presumably in the Queen Mother Champion chase for which he is currently 5/1 with Coral.

The Willie Mullins-trained grey won the Champion Bumper in 2012 and the Supreme Novices ‘Hurdle in 2013 before finishing runner-up in last year’s Arkle.
Walsh today told Racing UK: “There are a few class horses in there – Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy. They are very good horses and both have had difficult campaigns.
“Dodging Bullets is the standard bearer and Mr Mole is a massive improver, but Champagne Fever’s record over two miles is very good – two from three and he was impressive last week so in what looks an open enough contest, he’d be a very good ride.”

God’s Own heads straight to the Festival:
God’s Own will not take up an entry at Doncaster on Friday and instead head straight to the Cheltenham Festival for a crack at either the Arkle or JLT Novices’ Chase.
The seven-year-old won at the Punchestown Festival last May, but the timing of that meeting meant he still qualified as a novice for this season.