French star Theleme out of Stayers' Hurdle to leave Teahupoo edging favouritism for Cheltenham Festival prize

France's leading hurdler Theleme will not run in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after suffering a setback. 

Racing manager Bertrand le Metayer said: "It's not serious but we'll have to back off him for two or three weeks and, with his intended prep run only 20 days before Cheltenham, we can't take the risk."

The seven-year-old was disputing favouritism with Teahupoo at around 4-1 for the three-mile championship and had been scheduled to warm up for his first assignment in Britain with a spin on the Flat at Tarbes. 

Le Metayer, who manages the interests of British-based owners the Gordon Family, added: "We wanted to arrive at Cheltenham in the best form possible. The horse is lame and Arnaud [Chaille-Chaille] knows we could be doing him some damage instead of coming back stronger in 2025

"It’s just a small setback and we know the horse, he’ll be fine; it’s just the timing. He should be fit again for the spring in France and we haven’t given up on the idea of Cheltenham. We’ll try again next year."

Sponsors Paddy Power now make the Gordon Elliott-trained Teahupoo their 7-2 favourite, while stablemate Irish Point is a 4-1 chance.

Trainer Arnaud Chaille-Chaille celebrates after Theleme wins the Grade 1 Grand Prix d'Automne

Chaille-Chaille first floated the idea of tackling the Stayers' Hurdle last May after Theleme ran away from Klassical Dream, Hewick and Feronily in France's Champion Hurdle, the Grande Courses de Haies over three miles and a furlong. 

After adding a second Grand Prix d'Automne at Auteuil in November, connections decided to firm up plans for a first tilt at the festival, with Le Metayer saying Theleme had "no more to achieve in France".

The son of Australian sprinter Sidestep races in the colours of the late Jim Gordon, who died the same week as Theleme won France's championship race for three-year-old hurdlers in 2020. 

Gordon's three children, Stuart, Lisa and Helen, elected to keep racing in their father's memory and were present at Auteuil again a year later when he took the Grade 1 Prix Renaud du Vivier for four-year-olds. 

Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle, Cheltenham, March 14

Paddy Power: 7-2 Teahupoo, 4 Irish Point, 7 Crambo, 8 Impaire Et Passe, 10 Sir Gerhard, 20 bar

Read this next:

'His ante-post odds could plummet on Trials day' - early fancies for the novice hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival

Subscribe to Racing Post Members' Club Ultimate Monthly and get 50% off your first three months!

Available to new subscribers purchasing Members' Club Ultimate Monthly using code WELCOME2024. First three payments will be charged at £19.98, subscription renews at full monthly price thereafter. To cancel please contact us at least seven days before subscription is due to renew