Champ gives Nicky Henderson festive boost - and a big-race headache to boot

If Nicky Henderson found time for a catch-up with Father Christmas before the festive parade at Ascot then Champ bouncing back to his best in the Long Walk Hurdle would have been high on his wish list.

The trainer was supposed to have another runner in the race but his leading hope Buzz was cruelly ruled out on Friday after suffering a fractured pelvis. Thankfully, the Cesarewitch winner appears to be recovering well and his stablemate proved to be an able deputy.

Like many in the field, Champ had questions to answer. The fact JP McManus named him after Sir Anthony McCoy meant there was a high degree of expectation and he had the world at his feet after beating a high-quality field in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in 2020.