Nichols Canyon cut for Champion Hurdle after Morgiana success

Nichols Canyon is 16-1 (from 25-1) with Coral for the Champion Hurdle, following a straightforward success in this afternoon’s Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.  Other winners at the Irish track today included Identity Thief, 6-1 (from 7-1) for the Racing Post Arkle, and A Toi Phil, given a 16-1 quote for the JLT Novices’ Chase.

Coral has also opened betting on King George VI Chase and Gold Cup match bets between the Betfair Chase one-two Cue Card and Coneygree, and favour the Haydock victor to come out on top in both races.

“Coneygree’s connections could take much hope from his Haydock run after a long absence, but we still favour Cue Card to come out on top if they meet again at Kempton and Cheltenham, although the odds suggest the outcome could be closer to call in March than on Boxing day,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

**King George VI Chase match bet
1-3 Cue Card, 9-4 Coneygree

**Gold Cup match bet
4-6 Cue Card, 11-10 Coneygree

(Both must run for bets to stand)

**JCR Chase Triple Crown
7 Cue Card

**NH Trainers’ Championship
1-8 Paul Nicholls, 6 Willie Mullins, 8 Colin Tizzard, 12 Nicky Henderson, 20 Dan Skelton

**Hennessy Gold Cup
5 Native River, 8 Saphir Du Rheu, Un Temps Pour Tout, 10 Vyta Du Roc, 12 Blaklion, Outlander, Smad Place, 16 Henri Parry Morgan, Irish Cavalier, 20 Empire Of Dirt, The Last Samuri, Vicente, 25 Bar

**Becher Chase
8 The Last Samuri, 10 Shutthefrontdoor, 12 The Young Master, Viconte Du Noyer, 14 Empire Of Dirt, Ucello Conti, 16 Alvarado, Cogry, Highland Lodge, Ruben Cotter, Saint Are, Silvergrove, Sizing Coal, Three Faces West, Vieux Lion Rouge, 20 Bar

**Grand Sefton Chase
10 Bennys Mist, Le Mercurey, Third Intention, 12 As De Mee, La Vaticane, Seefood, Valadom, 14 Astracad, Dusky Lark, Go Conquer, Henryville, Loose Chips, Quite By Chance, Ruben Cotter, Troika Steppes, 16 Cocktails At Dawn, More Buck’s, Rathlin, Seventh Sky, 20 Bar