Charlie Swan expects Ruby Walsh to ride Faugheen in Champion

Charlie Swan expects Ruby Walsh to desert Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, despite his historic fifth victory in the Irish equivalent on Sunday.

Swan partnered Istabraq to four wins in the Leopardstown Grade One between 1998 and 2001, as well as steering Aidan O’Brien’s charge to three triumphs in the big one at Cheltenham.

Walsh now faces the difficult decision of whether to keep faith in Hurricane Fly as he goes in search of a third Cheltenham crown, or to partner stablemate Faugheen, the red-hot favourite for the Champion Hurdle.