Three of the top four in the betting for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle could clash at Haydock on Saturday. The tote's 6 to 1 second favourite Shadow Leader along with 10 to 1 shots Collier Bay and Relkeel were each entered yesterday for the Haydock Park Travelling The Turf Racecourse Of The Year Champion Hurdle Trial.
Relkeel will be bidding to follow up last month's success in the Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham. Trainer David Nicholson said: "Relkeel will run at Haydock and Richard Johnson will ride him."
Also entered for the £20,000added race are Cheltenham possibles Pridwell (25-1) and Dato Star (33-1).
Gold Cup hopes The Grey Monk, Simply Dashing and Cool Dawn are among a 15-strong entry for the Peter Marsh Chase. But the Tote Premier Long Distance Hurdle - an intended target for Paddy's Return - has been reopened as has the two-mile chase, which attracted only three entries despite an innovative scheme which makes entering a steeplechase at the course effectively free.
Champion Hurdle: Tote betting: 4-1 Istabraq, 6-1 Shadow Leader, 10-1 Collier Bay, Relkeel, 14-1 Sanmartino, 16-1 French Holly, Grey Shot, 20-1 Commanche Court, Graphic Equaliser, Grimes, Marello, 25-1 Kerawi, Pridwell, 33-1 Dato Star, Wahiba Sands, Zaralaska, 40-1 bar.
The Jockey Club stepped up its crusade against "cheating" by announcing stiffer penalties for non-triers yesterday.
From the start of the Flat turf season, jockeys could face up to 21-day suspensions, trainers a £3,000 fine and horses banned for 40 days if found guilty of not running on their merits.
From March 26th an inquiry will be held automatically when a horse without a previous first four finish wins a handicap or rating related race.
Explanations will be noted and forwarded to Portman Square where earlier races will be reviewed.
Horses returning from suspension will not be allowed to be entered or run in class A or B handicaps until they have run another race and been re-assessed.
Newcastle has the overwhelming support of trainers in the north of England and Scotland in favour of its long-standing ambition to establish the Britain's fourth all-weather track.
