Blow for Elliott after leading hope Champagne Classic is ruled out of NH Chase

Champagne Classic, described by trainer Gordon Elliott as "one of his best chances of the entire week", has been ruled out of the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival for the second year in a row.

Winner of the 2017 Martin Pipe at Cheltenham, Champagne Classic was vying for favouritism for the 2019 National Hunt Chase when a late setback forced him to miss the marathon event. Now lightning has struck twice.

Champagne Classic was as short as 7-2 with some firms and no bigger than 4-1 this time around, but he will not take up his engagement and is out until next season.

Elliott said: "Champagne Classic has met with a setback and won't be going to Cheltenham. He will miss the rest of the season too.

"The good news is that it is not the old problem, which kept him out for a while. It is an injury to a different leg and hopefully we will have him back next season.

"It's a pity as I thought he was one of our best chances of the entire week. He looks tailormade for the National Hunt Chase."

The news of Champagne Classic's absence has seen Carefully Selected harden at the top of the market. The Willie Mullins-trained stayer is now priced between 2-1 and 5-2.

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