William Munny looks to be losing battle to make Cheltenham

Trainer Barry Connell said William Munny has a "muscle tear in his hind quarters and it’s not healing as quickly as we would like"

William Munny finished runner-up to Kopek Des Bordes in the Supreme Notives' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Barry Connell is losing his battle to get William Munny back to full fitness in time to run in the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Runner-up to Kopek Des Bordes in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park last season, the seven-year-old began this season as an intriguing contender for the two-mile crown, but he has not yet made it to the track.