Mullins saw Hurricane Fly win at the Punchestown Festival in 2009

Champion Hurdle co-favourite Hurricane Fly could miss the Cheltenham Festival for the second year running with injury, says trainer Willie Mullins.

The triple Grade One winner is out of the Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown on 29 December after spraining a ligament.

"You would have to say Cheltenham is in serious doubt," Irish champion trainer Mullins told the Racing Post.

Hurricane Fly was ante-post favourite for the 2009 Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham but missed out with injury.

Solwhit is now favourite for the Leopardstown race, while Triumph Hurdle winner Zaynar and 2009 Champion Hurdle third Binocular are joint favourites for the big Cheltenham race on 16 March.

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