Indeevar Bleu among two Olly Murphy fancies ruled out before Cheltenham Festival

Olly Murphy's quest for a first Cheltenham Festival winner took a major hit when two of his leading fancies, Indeevar Bleu and They Call Me Hugo, were ruled out with the Festival only a week away, raising immediate questions over who will contest the BetMGM Cup and the Albert Bartlett for the stable. Murphy had described Indeevar Bleu and They Call Me Hugo as his "best two chances," and their absences reshape his targeting of the marquee races at Prestbury Park.

Indeevar Bleu, listed in sources as having won three of his six starts over hurdles, had most recently impressed at Aintree on Boxing Day and was in contention for both the newly-named BetMGM Cup and the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle before a minor injury scuppered his participation. The horse appears in published material as Indeevar Bleu while Murphy refers to him as "Indeevar Blue"; Murphy said, "Indeevar Blue will be back for Aintree all being well." A PA photo caption in syndicated copy shows "Indeevar Bleu winning at Aintree (Peter Byrne/PA)."

They Call Me Hugo was being aimed at the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle but will not make the trip to Prestbury Park, with Murphy saying Hugo "will miss the rest of the season." That absence removes a targeted entry for the long-distance novices' contest and forces Murphy to reallocate potential rides and conditional jockey opportunities across his remaining squad for the week-long Festival.

Murphy outlined how the withdrawals complicate his overall Festival presence while still hoping for significant participation: "Hopefully we'll have eight or 10 runners. I thought my best two chances were Indeevar Blue and They Call Me Hugo and unfortunately they're both out," said Murphy. He expanded on the contingency plans, naming possible alternatives and race targets: "I’m looking forward to seeing the confirmations and making finalised plans, but hopefully we’ve got some each-way chances. I’d be looking forward to running Wade Out (in the National Hunt Chase) and Booster Bob probably in the Plate. I’d love to run Resplendent Grey in the Ultima – he’s in really, really good form – and Act Of Authority runs back in the boys’ race (Martin Pipe). He was second to Wodhooh in it last year, he’s a pound higher this year and he’s in good nick. The Bluesman I thought was interesting if he got into the novice handicap chase and Ubatuba is the sort of horse that could run well at a big price in the Albert Bartlett."

With the Cheltenham Festival a week away and official confirmations still to be published, the late losses to Murphy's squad will alter betting dynamics and shift attention to other entries; Indeevar Bleu's withdrawal in particular affects markets for the BetMGM Cup and the Martin Pipe race where he had been engaged. Murphy has signalled a target of Aintree for Indeevar Bleu "all being well," while Hugo's season-ending absence removes a stamina option for the spring jumps calendar.

Preview commentary bundled with the coverage included wider Festival analysis, noting other Murphy-associated runners in preview pieces and that some market and pace projections are already being revised ahead of declarations. Sign up to bet365 using bonus code ATR365, bet £10 and get £30 in free bets. 18+. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required. Further terms and conditions may apply. 18 and over GambleAware.