Marine Nationale is the latest high-profile horse to be ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival.

Just hours after it was confirmed that Constitution Hill would miss the Champion Hurdle, owner-trained Barry Connell has revealed that Marine Nationale has picked up an injury which will prevent him from running in next Tuesday's Arkle Chase.

Last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner has suffered a suspensory strain, Connell told the Racing Post. "The horse did his last piece of work on Saturday and we were over the moon with him," he said. "He didn't ride out yesterday and we came into him this morning and he was lame.

"We got our usual vet to come in and it transpired that he had a suspensory strain. It's not a tear and it's minor. It will repair itself but he needs six weeks so he's going to miss Cheltenham and Punchestown."

The Arkle Chase now has a wide-open look to it. New joint favourites at around 4/1 are Il Etait Temps and Found A Fifty, followed by Hunters Yarn and Quilixios.