Macs Joy out of Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham

Irish hopes for Cheltenham have suffered another major blow with the news that Macs Joy is out of the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle after pulling a muscle.

Only last weekend the Mouse Morris-trained War Of Attrition was ruled out of bidding for back-to-back victories in the Totesport Gold Cup, hot on the heels of Michael O'Brien running out of time with In Compliance.

Now County Carlow trainer Jessica Harrington has revealed her eight-year-old will miss the chance to go one better than last year.

He had been due to work today under big-race pilot Barry Geraghty, but was found to have suffered a setback that will keep him out of Tuesday's showpiece event.