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Faugheen and Min out of Cheltenham

Willie Mullins has confirmed that Faugheen and Min are both out of next month's Cheltenham Festiv...



Faugheen and Min out of Chelte...
Golf

Faugheen and Min out of Cheltenham

Willie Mullins has confirmed that Faugheen and Min are both out of next month's Cheltenham Festival.

Faugheen had been doubtful for the Champion Hurdle having missed her scheduled comeback at last month's Irish Champion Hurdle.

The nine-year old winner of the Champion Hurdle in 2015 has a stress fracture.

"We had hoped Faugheen had just tweaked a muscle, but we've had it checked out and it's a stress fracture," Mullins said. 

"It's a real shame with Faugheen, we needed everything to go right and obviously it hasn't."

Min was second favourite for the Arkle, but has been suffering from a knee injury in the wake of the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

It is the third major withdrawal Mullins has suffered ahead of this year's festival, with Annie Power ruled out of defending her Champion Hurdle crown.

"Min has a bruise. Hopefully both will still make the track this season," Mullins explained.

He added that: "There are options at Fairyhouse and Punchestown for Min, hopefully he makes one of them, while we'll try to get Faugheen ready for Punchestown."

It comes days after Annie Power was ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival due to a leg injury.

The 2017 Cheltenham Festival will begin on March 14th and will run until St Patrick's Day.

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