MULLINS’ CHELTENHAM ABSENTEES

INJURED: FAUGHEEN (Champion Hurdle ante-post favourite); ANNIE POWER (champion, who would have won Mares’ Hurdle); MIN (had been second favourite to Altior in Arkle Trophy Chase); KILLULTAGH VIC (Festival winner in 2015, highly promising chaser); ARCTIC FIRE (chased home Faugheen in 2015 Champion Hurdle) DECEASED: VAUTOUR (threetime Festival winner) MOVED ON: OUTLANDER (fancied for Gold Cup after Lexus win); DON POLI (twice Festival winner, third in 2016 Gold Cup); VALSEUR LIDO (twice second to Vautour, currently sidelined); PETIT MOUCHOIR (second favourite for Champion Hurdle); APPLE’S JADE (favourite for the OLGB Mares’ Hurdle); BLOW BY BLOW (Due to reappear soon and aimed at Neptune Hurdle); PETIT PARISIENNE (fifth in 2015 Triumph Hurdle, not seen this season); SIR DES CHAMPS (twice Festival winner, second in 2013 Gold Cup, but past his best) McKINLEY (twice ran at the Festival, not raced since July).