Minor setback scuppers Christmas run for William Munny

Barry Connell’s Champion Hurdle contender William Munny has been ruled out of his intended return to action over Christmas due to a minor setback.

The seven-year-old fared well over hurdles as a novice last term, finishing second to Kopek Des Bordes in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after a prior Listed success.

He will remain over hurdles instead of graduating to chasing and was at the top end of the market for the Champion Hurdle after a dramatic renewal of the Fighting Fifth, but Connell is now looking to the Dublin Racing Festival for his reappearance.

“The horse pulled out of his box yesterday lame, we got the vets to come down and do the X-rays and scans,” said Connell.

“It’s nothing serious, he’s pulled some muscles in his hindquarters so he’ll miss Christmas.

“He’ll miss a couple of weeks of work, but it’s reasonable to hope that we should have him back for the Dublin Racing Festival and then onto Cheltenham.”