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Willie Mullins hoping to make Punchestown with Grade One winner

Willie Mullins has revealed leading Supreme Novices’ Hurdle contender Quick Grabim will miss the Cheltenham Festival after suffering a setback.

The seven-year-old has won three of his six starts over hurdles to date, most recently scoring at Grade One level in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in early December.

At a best priced 14-1, he appeared one of the Irish champion trainer’s chief contenders for the traditional Festival curtain-raiser at Prestbury Park in March, but he will not be making the trip across the Irish Sea.

Mullins told Press Association Sport: “Quick Grabim has had a setback and will not make Cheltenham. He suffered a stress fracture after his last run, but hopefully he will make it back in time for Punchestown.

“He’ll get all the time he needs.”