Booster 13-8 to beat Champion rivals

Rooster Booster is a top-priced 13-8 with Blue Square to retain his crown in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

He slammed Westender by 11 lengths a year ago and will face 13 rivals headed by the progressive Rigmarole in this year’s renewal of the great race.

Rooster Booster returned to winning form at Haydock in January after three defeats since his Champion Hurdle win last March.

Hobbs’ charge has since finished second to Tuesday’s rival Geos in the Tote Gold Trophy when giving weight away all round. He will be partnered once again by Richard Johnson.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Rigmarole is an interesting contender, having won six of his last eight starts and trounced Intersky Falcon by three and a half lengths on his most recent outing.

Intersky Falcon and his Jonjo O’Neill-trained stable companion Specular are other fancied horses to have stood their ground.

Specular was the major market mover with British bookmaker Coral, who slashed his odds to 9-1 from 14-1.

The Irish are represented by Davenport Milenium, Fota Island, Golden Cross and Hardy Eustace, while the French have one challenger in Foreman.

Limerick Boy, Self Defense and Hasty Prince complete the line-up.

Connections of Limerick Boy are hoping for a big run from their six-year-old, who won the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton in January but unseated Sam Thomas at the first flight in the Tote Gold Trophy last time out.

“I saw him work on Wednesday, with all the owners, and he was very pleasing,” said Graham Skeats, racing manager to Favourites Racing.

“We have no problems at all and we are on course. He put up a great performance off top weight in the Lanzarote.

“He could be the dark horse of the field. We are in there with a shout and are hopeful of a big run. As reigning champion, Rooster Booster is the one we all have to beat.”