Hurricane Fly will face a maximum of nine rivals when he aims to regain his crown in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday.

Darlan, a leading contender for the Champion Hurdle, suffered a fatal fall at Doncaster on what should have been his final outing before the Cheltenham Festival.

Darlan will not run in the StanJames.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday, trainer Nicky Henderson confirmed.

I have to say that today is my strongest book of rides for the week and it will be more than disappointing should I walk out of Punchestown tonight without a winner.

I HAVE a great chance aboard Pasco in a valuable two and a half mile handicap chase at Newbury this afternoon.