WILLIE MULLINS has confirmed one of his huge Cheltenham Festival fancies is set to miss the entire season.
Multiple Grade 1 winner Il Etait Temps, who is owned in part by former England cricketer Craig Kieswetter, was awesome last campaign.
He picked up top tier prizes at Leopardstown, Aintree and Punchestown.
His only defeats at Grade 1 level came at the hands of superstar Gaelic Warrior.
But he wasn’t entered in the Champion Chase or Ryanair for the Festival.
And Mullins admits his only chance of a run this season would be at Punchestown at the end of April.
But a more likely scenario would be writing of the season entirely and coming back next year.
The legendary Closutton boss said: “I’m not sure he will make this season at all really which is disappointing.
“He just got a little knee trouble and we had him right and back in training and then it went wrong again.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Willie Mullins gives verdict on ’embarrassing’ changes to the Cheltenham Festival” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6362554705112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]“I’ve almost pulled the plug in my own mind and if he comes back for Punchestown that would be the very best thing.”
Il Etait Temps has earnings of £394,488 and has won six of his 16 career races.