Harchibald looks champion

Harchibald has been the surprise package of the hurdling division this year and, despite a recent hiccup, trainer Noel Meade is full of hope that his gelding’s brilliant season can extend into the Cheltenham Festival.

The winner of six of his 16 jumps starts, Harchibald lost favouritism for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle – which he had held ever since last autumn – when, by Meade’s own admission, he worked “terribly” after racing at Navan last weekend.