Champagne Fever has been ruled out of this afternoon's Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The two-time Cheltenham Festival winner was reportedly bitten by a stable-companion while travelling over and the injury has not healed in time.

The Willie Mullins-trained grey, just denied a Festival treble in the Arkle Trophy 12 month's ago, was challenging Sire De Grugy and Sprinter Sacre for favouritism in the day two highlight.

Mullins' strong challenge in the bumper has been reduced with Pylonthepressure (lame) now an absentee.