The current Champion Chase hero Marine Nationale has been ruled out of a defence of his crown next week after he was found to have a sore neck this morning, his trainer Barry Connell revealed on Tuesday.

"He was very sore through his neck this morning. We had the vets in this morning and they put him on pain relief medication and we're just going to be out of time with withdrawal times."

The nine-year-old was seeking his third Cheltenham victory following a Supreme Novices win for the late Michael O'Sullivan and his emotional return last year, winning the Champion Chase.

Connell is hopeful to have his stable star back for a defence of his Punchestown crown in April.

The latest Champion Chase betting with Paddy Power now has the DRF winner Majborough as the odds-on favourite.

Queen Mother Champion Chase NRNB

Paddy Power: 8-11 Majborough, 7-2 L’Eau Du Sud, 4 Il Etait Temps, 7 Quilixios, 10 Jonbon, 16 Thistle Ask, 20 Irish Panther, 25 Only By Night, Solness, 33 JPR One, 40 Captain Guinness, Found A Fifty, 50 Calico, Saint Segal, 66 Libberty Hunter, 100 Brookie, Senecia