Gentleman De Mee ruled out of Champion Chase

Gentleman De Mee has been ruled out of the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase by trainer Willie Mullins.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old was a general 8-1 shot for the Cheltenham Festival’s day two feature having bounced back to his best with an impressive victory from the front in Leopardstown’s Dublin Chase last month.

That Dublin Racing Festival success was his second strike at Grade One level having accounted for Champion Chase favourite Edwardstone at Aintree in April last year, and he was was one of three possible runners in the race for the master of Closutton alongside defending champion Energumene and Blue Lord.

However, an infection means he will not take part in the action at Prestbury Park on Wednesday with connections now focussed on returning Gentleman De Mee to full health ahead of future targets in the spring.

“Gentleman De Mee has picked up an infection which means we’re not going to take him to Cheltenham.” Mullins told www.sportinglife.com.

“Hopefully he’ll be back for other spring targets.”