Faugheen clear favourite to reverse the form with Nichols Canyon

Bookmaker Coral make the Willie Mullins-trained Faugheen the 1-3 favourite to reverse the form with his stablemate Nichols Canyon in Sunday’s BHP Insurances Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. Nichols Canyon, who ended Faugheen’s unbeaten record in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in November, is priced at 7-2 to win on Sunday, while Mullins’ other raider, Arctic Fire, can be backed at 6-1.

“Nichols Canyon may have inflicted a shock defeat on Faugheen back in November but we can’t see that happening again. Any doubts surrounding the Champion Hurdle hero were certainly put to bed when he romped home to victory in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton,” said Coral’s Nicola McGeady.

**Irish Champion Hurdle

1-3 Faugheen, 7-2 Nichols Canyon, 6-1 Arctic Fire, 125-1 Plinth, 200-1 King Of the Picts