Harchibald out of Champion

Harchibald, runner-up in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle last spring, was ruled out of a repeat bid on the day that 35 entries were announced for this year’s renewal at Cheltenham on March 14.

The one-time favourite for the hurdling crown appeared among the entries, but will not run again this season after trainer Noel Meade admitted defeat in getting the seven-year-old back from injury.