Faugheen new favourite for Champion Hurdle

Faugheen is the clear 5-2 (from 6-1) favourite with Coral for the Champion Hurdle, after the 2015 winner made a winning reappearance at Punchestown this afternoon.  Buveur D’Air has been eased to 7-2 (from 5-2) for back-to-back wins in the Champion Hurdle, with Defi Du Seuil among the 8-1 co-third favourites.

“Faugheen looked back to his best with an impressive Morgiana Hurdle win, and after that performance we had no hesitation in promoting the 2015 Champion Hurdle winner to the head of the ante-post betting ahead of last season’s big race winner Buveur D’Air,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

At Cheltenham this afternoon, North Hill Harvey earned a 14-1 (from 20-1) quote for the Racing Post Arkle after his trial success, while Fox Norton is 7-1 (from 12-1) with Coral for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, after his Grade Two victory.

**2018 Champion Hurdle
5-2 Faugheen, 7-2 Buveur D’Air, 8 Min, Defi Du Seuil, Yorkhill, 10 Melon, 16 Apple’s Jade,

**2018 Racing Post Arkle
6 Footpad, 8 Petit Mouchoir, 12 Finian’s Oscar, Melon, 14 Brain Power, North Hill Harvey, 16 Yanworth, 20 Ballyandy, River Wylde, Sceau Royal,

**King George VI Chase
5-2 Might Bite, 7-2 Thistlecrack, Sizing John, 8 Douvan, 10 Fox Norton, 12 Bristol De Mai, 14 Djakadam, Yorkhill, 16 Tea For Two, Whisper, 20 Cue Card, Native River, 25 Coneygree,

**2018 RSA Chase
8 Monalee, 12 Yanworth, 14 Death Duty, Finian’s Oscar, Willoughby Court, 16 Bacardys, Ballyoptic, 20 Ballyandy, Presenting Percy, 25 Ami Desbois, Barters Hill, Black Corton, Give Me A Copper, Supasundae, Wholestone

**2018 Champion Chase
11-8 Altior, 3 Douvan, 5 Yorkhill, 7 Fox Norton, Min, 10 Great Field, 14 Charbel, Politologue, 16 Top Notch, 20 Special Tiara

**2018 JLT Novices’ Chase
6 Finian’s Oscar, 8 Yanworth, 12 Bacardys, Death Duty, Footpad, 14 Ballyandy, Willoughby Court, 16 North Hill Harvey, Modus, 20 Supasundae, 25 Movewithethetimes, 33 Barters Hill