Drever puts Champion claims on line

Inglis Drever will bid to establish himself as one the leading candidates for Champion Hurdle next March when having his first start of the season in the Pertemps “Fighting Fifth” Hurdle at Newcastle tomorrow.

One of many stars from Howard Johnson’s County Durham yard, the five-year-old will face some top-drawer rivals in the north-east showpiece, run for the first time this year as a Grade One contest.