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MOROSE OUT OF CHAMPION HURDLE

Smurfit Champion Hurdle hope Mister Morose was today ruled out of Cheltenham due to 'a minor problem'.

Last year`s Scottish and Welsh Champion Hurdle winner is set to miss the rest of the season.

But Nigel Twiston-Davies is confident that the gelding, who also lifted the Grade One Martell Aintree Hurdle last April and made a winning reappearance in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in November, will return next term.

Mister Morose had been quoted at 33-1 by William Hill for the Champion, in which he finished fourth two years ago.

But his trainer said: 'He won`t go to Cheltenham as he has got a minor problem and he will not run again this season.

'It`s disappointing as he looked as good as ever when winning at Wincanton but he will be back next season.'

Mister Morose, also engaged in the Bonusprint Stayers` Hurdle in which he finished fifth last year, has not run since coming home sixth in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton last December.