Blow for Olly Murphy in quest for first Cheltenham Festival winner

Olly Murphy’s hopes of breaking his duck at the Cheltenham Festival next week have been dealt a significant blow by news that two of his leading fancies – Indeevar Bleu and They Call Me Hugo – will miss the showpiece meeting after suffering setbacks.

Indeevar Bleu has won three of his six starts over hurdles, most recently impressing at Aintree on Boxing Day, and was in contention for both the newly-named BetMGM Cup and the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle before a minor injury scuppered his participation.

They Call Me Hugo was being aimed at the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, but he too will not be making the trip to Prestbury Park.

“Hopefully we’ll have eight or 10 runners. I thought my best two chances were Indeevar Blue and They Call Me Hugo and unfortunately they’re both out,” said Murphy.

“Indeevar Blue will be back for Aintree all being well, whereas Hugo will miss the rest of the season. It’s frustrating, but we’ll get over it.”

Considering some of his other contenders for the biggest four days of the season in the Cotswolds, the trainer added: “I’m looking forward to seeing the confirmations and making finalised plans, but hopefully we’ve got some each-way chances.

“I’d be looking forward to running Wade Out (in the National Hunt Chase) and Booster Bob probably in the Plate.

“I’d love to run Resplendent Grey in the Ultima – he’s in really, really good form – and Act Of Authority runs back in the boys’ race (Martin Pipe). He was second to Wodhooh in it last year, he’s a pound higher this year and he’s in good nick.

“The Bluesman I thought was interesting if he got into the novice handicap chase and Ubatuba is the sort of horse that could run well at a big price in the Albert Bartlett.”