Butterfly favourite for Leopardstown

Paddy Power make Like-A-Butterfly their new market leader for the AIG Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday after the defection of Intersky Falcon, who was declared a non-runner by trainer Jonjo O’Neill on Thursday.

The Dublin firm go 7-4 about Christy Roche’s charge, although their Cork rivals Cashmans have priced up J P McManus’ mare the 2-1 joint favourite with Limestone Lad.

O’Neill pulled his vastly improved six-year-old out of Sunday’s highlight after having him scoped.

“He didn’t scope clean, just not quite right. Hopefully it’s nothing major,” the Jackdaw’s Castle trainer said.

A few of O’Neill’s horses have been slightly under the weather of late, including fellow star hurdler Rhinestone Cowboy.

“Plenty of them are just not firing now and there have been for a little while really. He’s just got it now so we’ll take our time,” O’Neill added.

Davenport Millennium (11-4 Cashmans, 2-1 Power) will definitely make the trip to Leopardstown, according to trainer Willie Mullins, who ruled out the alternative option of the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The trainer sprang a surprise earlier in the week when he indicated he was seriously considering the Cheltenham race for his seven-year-old because he was so well in at the ratings.

But after talking it over with the owner, Mullins said: “We are going to Leopardstown. It’s the Irish Champion Hurdle and we thought we’d take our chance.

“It probably looks an easier contest across the water, but not having to travel was another consideration.”

Stable companion Scolardy, absent with a tendon injury since winning the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham last year, is also likely to line up at Leopardstown, although Mullins has warned he will need the race.

Roche also confirmed Like-A-Butterfly will make her reappearance in Sunday’s race.

Last year’s winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham has not been out since tasting defeat for the first time in nine runs when she finished behind Davenport Millennium at Punchestown in April after appearing to lose her action after the penultimate flight.

“She’ll take her chance,” said Roche. “She’s well and in good form. The run will bring her on a bit but I think she’ll run a big race.”

AIG Europe Champion Hurdle betting:

Cashmans: 2-1 Limestone Lad, Like-A-Butterfly, 11-4 Davenport Millennium, 7-1 Scottish Memories, 14-1 Stage Affair, 16-1 Scolardy, 50-1 Turtleback.

Paddy Power: 7-4 Like-A-Butterfly, 2-1 Davenport Millennium, 11-4 Limestone Lad, 11-2 Scottish Memories, 16-1 Stage Affair, 20-1 Scolardy, 40-1 Turtleback.