Eile to swerve Haydock
Al Eile will not defend his crown in the bonusprint.com Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock on Saturday.
The seven-year-old defeated Mister McGoldrick by a neck in last season's renewal but has struggled for form this campaign.
Fourth to Brave Inca in last year's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, Al Eile will also bypass the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 28.
"He just hasn't come to himself as we'd want so he's a non-runner at Haydock on Saturday," confirmed trainer John Queally.
"He won't run at Leopardstown either, but will instead hopefully go for the totesport Trophy (Newbury, February 10)."
The Haydock trial was won by Howard Johnson's World Hurdle hero Inglis Drever in 2005.
Johnson could be double-handed in this season's contest as former Supreme Novices' Hurdle scorer Arcalis and Mephisto hold entries.
Afsoun could also take his chance for Nicky Henderson and Trevor Hemmings.
Sue Smith's Mister McGoldrick is again engaged, but also holds an entry in the Victor Chandler Chase on the same day, while Tara Hurdle third Mounthenry is still in the hat for the two-mile heat.
Trainer Charles Byrnes said: "He ran well last time back over hurdles - it worked out a good race.
"Trying to give 7lb to Celestial Wave was a very hard task, but he's come out of the race in grand order.
"He may need further than two miles - having won over two and a half - but it's stiff enough at Haydock and he will like the testing ground."
Mounthenry will now stay over hurdles for the rest of the season, although Byrnes has not ruled out another try at chasing in the future.
He added: "His jumping over fences has been a problem - he took a bad fall in his first chase (at Limerick) - and he hasn't really jumped well after that.
"Our ambitions with Mounthenry have taken a big knock as I thought he was potentially an Arkle Chase prospect at the beginning of the season.
"We'll put the cheekpieces on him at Haydock to sharpen up his jumping."
The French Furze, Milligan, Overstrand and recent Wetherby winner Torkinking complete the list of potential runners at the five-day declaration stage.
