The domino effect: what this means for the Champion Hurdle

Following the news that Faugheen will miss the Champion Hurdle, we examine the implications for the horses most affected

Buveur D’Air
Best price before Faugheen news 5-1, best price after 4-1
Nicky Henderson is looking like Nostradamus by sending the 2016 Supreme third back over hurdles, over which he oozed class at Sandown last weekend

Yanworth
5-1 from 7-1
Started season going for Stayers’ Hurdle and no longer the McManus top dog in the market, but Champion Hurdle still the aim with Kingwell Hurdle next

Yorkhill
6-1 from 7-1
Favourite for the JLT but has not excelled over fences, and although he needs supplementing for the Champion Hurdle a return to hurdles for last year’s Neptune winner must be tempting

Jezki
12-1 from 16-1
Still much shorter for the Stayers’ Hurdle but sparkling win on return over two miles and a weakening Champion Hurdle make it a tempter too for those behind the 2014 winner – although he is also owned by McManus

Vroum Vroum Mag
14-1 from 20-1
Multiple options over fences and hurdles at the festival and although only scrambled home to win at Doncaster a Champion Hurdle bid must be more likely now

The New One
Unchanged at 16-1
The Stayers’ Hurdle has been floated but a fourth crack at the Champion Hurdle now looks assured

Superb Story
Unchanged 20-1
Has excelled in strong handicaps but Dan Skelton thinks he’s top class and was heading straight to the Champion Hurdle as a dark horse even before the news broke