Cheltenham Festival: Windbeneathmywings sidelined after suffering setback

Britain's leading Weatherbys Champion Bumper contender Windbeneathmywings has been ruled out of next week’s Cheltenham Festival after suffering a setback.

A bumper winner in Ireland for trainer Patrick Flynn, the five-year-old made a scintillating British debut for David Pipe at Ascot in December when beating a whole host of previous winners by upwards of 14 lengths at Listed level.

Connections have since kept their powder dry for the spring and an appearance at Prestbury Park was under consideration, but he will not be heading to the Cotswolds.

In a statement posted on X, Pipe said: "Windbeneathmywings will not be running in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival next week. He has suffered a setback and so we will give him all the time he needs.

"It is a big blow for his owners and our team but our main priority is to get him right."