Champion booster for Harchibald

HARCHIBALD strengthened his position at the head of the Champion Hurdle market with what was in the end an impressive victory over Rooster Booster at Kempton yesterday.

The Noel Meade-trained five-year-old is as short as 3-1 from 9-2 with Hills, while Coral are 7-2 from 5-1 and Ladbrokes 4-1 from 5-1.

The Stan James Christmas Hurdle triumph - on Paul Carberry’s first ride at the Sunbury course - looked unlikely at the home turn as Rooster Booster, who had stolen a march on his rivals at the start, still held an advantage of over 15 lengths.