Who remains in contention for the Champion Hurdle after the day one confirmations?

Lossiemouth is now the odds-on favourite for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle in the non-runner money-back markets having been left in the race at Wednesday's confirmation stage.

Despite Willie Mullins insisting on Tuesday the Champion Hurdle remained the plan, last year's winner has been left in the mares-only contest and is a general 4-6 shot in the NRMB markets. She is 7-2 with bet365 ante-post. Brighterdaysahead, the other superstar mare who was in contention for both races, has been taken out of the Grade 1 and is only in the Champion Hurdle.

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There was a further change to the shape of the Mares' Hurdle as Nicky Henderson’s Joyeuse, a half-sister to Champion Hurdle winner Epatante, was supplemented to bring the potential field up to 15.

There were no surprises among the confirmations for the Unibet Champion Hurdle, with odds-on favourite Constitution Hill standing his ground, while the three mares in the potential eight-runner line-up, Brighterdaysahead, Lossiemouth and Golden Ace, remained in contention. The latter is expected to run in the Mares' Hurdle.

Senecia and Brentford Hope (previously scratched) are the two horses to be omitted from the confirmations.

Champion Hurdle confirmations

Burdett Road
Constitution Hill
King Of Kingsfield
State Man
Winter Fog
Brighterdaysahead
Golden Ace
Lossiemouth

The big guns stood their ground in the My Pension Expert Arkle Novices' Chase, but six horses were taken out of contention.

Caldwell Potter (has a novice handicap entry), Fascile Mode, Gidleigh Park, San Salvador, Springwell Bay (has several other options) and Jeannot Lapin (previously scratched) have been taken out of the race.

That leaves a potential field of nine, although the likely Brown Advisory-bound Ballyburn remains one of the entries.

Willie Mullins is responsible for nine of the remaining 17 entries in the Michael O'Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, including the red-hot favourite Kopek Des Bordes. Leading Turners' Novices' Hurdle candidate The New Lion and Potters Charm, another being aimed at the 2m5f event, were among those taken out of the festival opener.

Johnnywho, who had been as short as 8-1 for the Ultima Handicap Chase, is the highest-profile entry to not be confirmed, with 31 remaining in contention. He has also been taken out of the National Hunt Chase, paving the way for him to potentially run in the Kim Muir on Thursday.

The eight-year-old has been the subject of support for the Kim Muir with Ladbrokes, who have cut him to 7-1 (from 10).

The Changing Man was another horse to not be confirmed for the National Hunt Chase, with the Ultima appearing his aim.

Naturally Nimble, a leading contender for the Fred Winter, was not confirmed. He was a best-priced 10-1 shot.

Supreme confirmations

Forty Coats
Funiculi Funicula
Inn At The Park
Irancy
Kappa Jy Pyke
Karbau
Karniquet
Kiss Will
Kopek Des Bordes
Romeo Coolio
Salvator Mundi
Sky Lord
Tripoli Flyer
Tutti Quanti
Whinney Hill
William Munny
Workahead

Arkle confirmations

Ballyburn
Firefox
Jango Baie
Jordans
Kalif Du Berlais
L’Eau Du Sud
Majborough
Touch Me Not
Only By Night

Mares' Hurdle confirmations

Casa No Mento
Dysart Enos
Gala Marceau
Golden Ace
Jade De Grugy
Jetara
Joyeuse
July Flower
Kala Conti
Kargese
Lossiemouth
Nurse Susan
Queens Gamble
Take No Chances
Wyenot

Read these next:

JP McManus and the £250,000 festival gamble that changed racing history 

Golden Ace set for Mares' Hurdle with Jeremy Scott thrilled with her form ahead of Cheltenham Festival 

Can Brighterdaysahead beat Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle? Four tipsters provide an emphatic answer 

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