Murphy dealt blow as Hunters Call is ruled out of Cheltenham

WILMCOTE trainer Olly Murphy has been dealt a blow with the news that Hunters Call has been ruled out of the Randox Health County Hurdle at Cheltenham next Friday after suffering a setback.

Formerly trained in Ireland, the eight-year-old made a successful debut for Murphy when he won the lucrative Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle at Ascot in December.

He was the 8-1 joint-favourite for the County Hurdle alongside the Willie Mullins-trained Max Dynamite, but Murphy said on his Betfair blog: "Unfortunately Hunters Call has some heat in his foot today and as far as Cheltenham is concerned we have lost the race against time.

"We will now aim him at the Scottish Champion Hurdle or one of the main Irish festivals in Fairyhouse or Punchestown.

"It's a blow for us here as he was in great form and we were look forward to him running in County Hurdle."