Fly unlikely to make Cheltenham

Willie Mullins admits a trip to the Cheltenham Festival is "looking doubtful" for Hurricane Fly as he continues to recover from injury.

The six-year-old went into the summer as the ante-post favourite for the Champion Hurdle but suffered a surprise reverse on his only start this season when third to Solwhit.

He was subsequently found to be suffering an injury to a suspensory ligament. "He is just all right and progress is slow," said the Co. Carlow handler. Cheltenham is looking doubtful at this stage."