RICHARD DUNWOODY yesterday looked set to partner Relkeel in next Tuesday's Smurfit Champion Hurdle. Since Adrian Maguire was ruled out by injury, the in-demand jockey has been standing by for one of trainer David Nicholson's big-race challengers.

But after schooling for the handler yesterday morning on the eve of the rider's own comeback from injury, it emerged that the 10 to 1 chance is likely to be his mount.

Nicholson left, four of his team among the five-day acceptors for the opening day highlight, Castle Sweep, Relkeel, Sanmartino and Zabadi. But his assistant Alan King indicated yesterday that citing, novice Sanmartino, was more likely to, contest the Citroen Supreme Novices Hurdle, leaving Dunwoody to partner Relkeel.

Castle Sweep will run in the Coral Cup, Richard Dunwoody will be on Relkeel. A decision on Sanmartino will be made on Sunday but he will probably go for the Citroen Supreme. Zabadi runs in the Champion but I don't know who rides," he said.

Nicholson has scotched, doubts about Relkeel's well being and reported the gelding, who returned from a long spell of injury to test Collier Bay at Towcester last month, to be 200 per cent

He expects his challenger to turn the tables on the champion, whose odds were eased out to 190 to 30 from 3 to 1 by Ladbrokes in the face of support for Large Action (9-2 from 5-1) and Space Trucker (5-1 from 11-2).

Jim Old's Festival preparations have been disrupted by injury to leading novice Juyush, who misses the meeting. "Collier Bay is fine, touch wood," he said. "But Juyush has gone for investigation today. We don't really know what's wrong with him but we will by Saturday."

Large Action's trainer Oliver Sherwood said: "Large Action jumped six flights this morning and Jamie Osborne was chuffed to bits with him."

Noel Meade has secured the services of Jason Title for Hill Society but warns the five year old faced a daunting task in Tuesday's race.