FOLLOWING the first scratchings deadline for the Cheltenhan Festival, the most notable absentee will be the Willie Mullins-trained Impaire Et Passe, who had entries in the Unibet Champion Hurdle and the Stayers’ Hurdle. Following his rather lacklustre display in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown at the weekend, he will now be targeted at the Aintree Hurdle over the intermediate distance.

Also scratched from the Champion are Bob Olinger, Burdett Road and Vauban, leaving a current entry of 18 with 10 of those Irish-trained.

The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase has lost five entries with Dinoblue, Dysart Dynamo, Fil Dor, Greaneteen and Nube Negra all taken out. It leaves 14 remaining, seven British trained and seven from Ireland.

The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle is also down with five entries havong been scratched: Feet Of A Dancer, Jetara, Luccia, Pink In The Park and Saylavee.

As already announced the injured Allaho was taken out of the Ryanair, along with stable companions Dysart Dynamo and Sir Gerhard, and so are Greaneteen, Idas Boy, Jonbon and Notlongtillmay.

From the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle seven entries have been scratched: Ahoy Senor will have the Gold Cup as his target, Ashdale Bob, Impaire Et Passe, Langer Dan, Millers Bank, Shanbally Kid, Thedevilscoachman are also not lining up here.

From the Gold Cup, four entries have been scratched: Datsalrightgino, Envoi Allen, Royale Pagaille and Stay Away Fay, who stays in novice company. It leaves 16 entries remaining with again half of them Irish-trained.

It was also reported after Leopardstown that impressive bumper winner Jeroboam Machin would miss the rest of the season.