Willie Mullins has revealed Energumene will miss the Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham after suffering a setback.
The seven-year-old has made a huge impression in winning his first three starts over fences this season – completing his hat-trick with a brilliant display in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown last month.
A mouthwatering clash with the Nicky Henderson-trained Shishkin looked one of the most exciting match-ups of this year’s Festival, but Mullins confirmed in a statement on his website Energumene will not be part of his travelling squad.
He said: “Energumene has met with a setback and unfortunately won’t be running at the Cheltenham Festival next week.”
Meanwhile, Paddy Power is set to make one lucky racing fan a millionaire this weekend ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.
The bookmaker will finally shell out €1 million to one punter after originally planning a New Year's giveaway.
Weather got in the way of the original plan, but lightning struck twice more in the two and a half months since as frozen and waterlogged tracks meant the showpiece couldn't be ran.
But now, each punter in contention will be represented by a horse in the Paddy Power's Millionaire Chase at Sandown in the Imperial Cup on Saturday afternoon at 2.25pm.
One of eleven lucky qualifiers will bag the eye-watering pay day if the horse they represent saunters home, and all punters have already pocketed €10,000.
Stuart from Banbridge, County Down, was one of the last qualifiers and said: "I didn't believe it until I saw £10k in my account.
"It'll be hard to sleep before Saturday, but I got married in Barbados and if I win me and my wife will be on the first plane back there once we're allowed."
Jilian from Edinburgh is another qualifier says; "I'll buy a house and a nice car if I win. Even winning £10k is a welcome distraction from Covid."
A Paddy Power spokesman said: ""Seriously, how hard can it be to give someone €1 million?
"Every time we tried to give it away the weather turned against us, but finally now on Saturday we will crown a new millionaire."
