Racing

Champagne Fever running out of time for Cheltenham prep run

Willie Mullins trained nine-year-old grey is still recovering from injury

Champagne Fever is still recovering from injury and may not have time for a prep run ahead of this year’s Cheltenham Festival. Photograph: Getty
Champagne Fever is still recovering from injury and may not have time for a prep run ahead of this year’s Cheltenham Festival. Photograph: Getty
Sun Jan 03 2016 - 12:46

Willie Mullins admits he may face a race against time to give Champagne Fever a prep run ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.

The talented grey is on the way back from injury but with the biggest jumps meeting of the year now looming on the horizon it could be touch and go whether Mullins has time to fit in a run beforehand.

“He got a splint and then a little bit of a touch on his suspensory,” the County Carlow handler told RUK.

“He’s making his way back but whether we get him out before the Festival or not I don’t know.”

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Champagne Fever, who is quoted in the betting for the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Ryanair Chase, has a fine record at Cheltenham.

The Rich Ricci-owned nine-year-old, won the Champion Bumper in 2012, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2013 and was only beaten a head in the Arkle Trophy in 2014.