Champion Hurdle ruled
out for Grandouet

GRANDOUET, one time 5-1 second favourite for the Stan James Champion Hurdle, will miss Cheltenham due to an injury to his near hind (back left) fetlock joint.

Gradouet had been due to run in the Grade 2 Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton last Saturday, arace won by stablemate Binocular, but missed the race after banging his joint the night before.

Henderson, who also had Spirit Son ruled out of the Champion Hurdle through injury, had hoped minor surgery to drain fluid from the joint would allow Grandouet to run but admitted defeat on Thursday.

Henderson told racingpost.com: "There was further improvement in the joint today but he will not be ready to gallop at the weekend and therefore we'll have to put his Champion Hurdle challenge on hold until next year."

He added: "I've yet to discuss a plan with Simon Munir [owner] but Grandouet is not a horse for two and a half miles and therefore I doubt he'd go to Aintree."