Graham Wylie excited by Nichols Canyon’s attempt to reaffirm Champion Hurdle claims

Owner Graham Wylie is looking forward to making the trip to Leopardstown over Christmas to see if Nichols Canyon can reaffirm his Champion Hurdle claims in the Ryanair Hurdle.

The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old struck four times at Grade One level during his novice campaign over hurdles last season and inflicted a shock defeat on previously unbeaten stable companion Faugheen on his return to action in last month’s Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.

Wylie expects the pair to be kept apart until a potential rematch at Cheltenham in March and with Faugheen set to return to Kempton to defend his Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day, Nichols Canyon will head for Foxrock on December 29 for a race won four times by recently-retired former stablemate Hurricane Fly.