Souffleur on easy list

Souffleur is set for a few weeks on the easy list after his disappointing show at Warwick on Saturday.

The five-year-old, winner of the Grade One Challow Hurdle last month, could finish no better than third behind Carruthers in the Grade Two Ballymore Properties Leamington Novices’ Hurdle.

However, trainer Peter Bowen found the gelding to be coughing following his 30-length defeat.

“He came back and coughed badly,” said Bowen.

“He coughed all the way from the enclosure back to the stables.

“Something was obviously greatly amiss and you can put a line through that run.

“We will just isolate him now for a couple of weeks and then, hopefully, we can work towards Cheltenham.”

Souffleur is a 20-1 shot with William Hill for the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival in March.