For the third successive year, Champagne Classic will miss the Cheltenham Festival due to injury.

The Gordon Elliott-trained nine-year-old had been the second favourite for next month's four-mile National Hunt Chase.

Champagne Classic had romped to victory in the 2017 renewal of the Martin Pipe and this latest injury will end his season.

"Unfortunately Champagne Classic suffered a setback during the week and will now be out for the rest of the season," Elliott confirmed on twitter this afternoon.

Unfortunately Champagne Classic suffered a set back during the week and will now be out for the rest of the season.

— Gordon Elliott (@gelliott_racing) February 27, 2020

Champagne Classic out of Cheltenham confirms Eddie O'Leary

— Johnny Ward (@Ui_Maine) February 27, 2020

The Meath handler had already been planning with Kim Muir favourite Glenloe - who was also ruled out of the festival last week.