Champion bid for Whiteoak

DONALD McCain has given Whiteoak the green light to take her chance in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday rather than the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle on the same card.

The six-year-old won the latter race at the showpiece meeting 12 months ago but left connections in a quandary over running plans for this year after running a fine second in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton last month.

McCain and owner Brendan Richardson have been mulling over whether to let the mare defend her crown or have a tilt at the hurdling showpiece, and the trainer has confirmed she will now take on the likes of Binocular in the highlight of the opening day’s action.