Optimist to miss Cheltenham

THE Gordon Elliott-trained Bold Optimist, who was as short as 10-1 for the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival, has met with a setback and will miss the rest of the season.

The five-year-old was well touted prior to making his debut at Leopardstown at Christmas and didn’t disappoint, beating the subsequent winner, Felix Yonger, by two and a half lengths.

The plan then was straight to Prestbury Park, but speaking on At The Races yesterday Elliott confirmed that his charge was currently on the easy-list.