Falcon bypasses Leopardstown date

Intersky Falcon has been ruled out of Sunday's AIG (Europe) Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Trainer Jonjo O'Neill has decided not to send the seven-year-old for the Grade One event over two miles.

Part owner Terry McDermott told the Racing Post: "Intersky Falcon is not going to go to Ireland. I spoke to Jonjo and he doesn't want the hassle of travelling him over there."

Intersky Falcon won the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton last time and he is a best-priced 6-1 for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Although the gelding misses the Irish event, he could have a prep run in the Axminster Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on February 21 or head straight to Cheltenham without another run.

McDermott added: "He (O'Neill) couldn't be more pleased with the horse and he wouldn't be worried if he went straight to Cheltenham without another run.

"But if there is another race which is right for him, he could run beforehand. The Kingwell Hurdle is probably something he will look at, but that's four weeks off and the ground would be a key factor - he wouldn't run if it was heavy."