Lame Simonsig ruled out of Tingle Creek

Today’s Betfair Tingle Creek suffered another major blow on yesterday afternoon after Nicky Henderson announced Simonsig would miss the Sandown showpiece through injury.

Last season’s brilliant Arkle Trophy winner Un De Sceaux was due to be the headline act in Esher before being ruled out by Willie Mullins on Wednesday after being described as a “little flat”, prompting a major overhaul in the betting.

Simonsig, winner of the Arkle in 2013, looked in with a major chance of keeping his unbeaten record intact following a most encouraging return to action from over two years off when runner-up behind stable companion Bobs Worth in a hurdle race at Aintree last month.