Champion bid still on hold for Grandouet

GRANDOUET was "walking comfortably" on Wednesday following minor surgery to drain fluid from his near hind fetlock joint, but his appearance in the Stan James Champion Hurdle remains in doubt.

Trainer Nicky Henderson told racingpost.com that a decision on whether he will be run at the Cheltenham Festival is likely to be made by the weekend.

Henderson added: "The surgery went well to flush fluid from the infection, which is within the joint itself. With that tension released the horse is walking comfortably.

"However, to have a realistic chance of making the Champion Hurdle he needs to be back in action by the weekend because he has missed a coupleof days. We'll give him every chance to get there, but if he can't he can't."

Grandouet is as short as 6-1 third-favourite for the Champion Hurdle.