Odds compilers have been forced into a rethink for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle after it was revealed that last year's winner, Make A Stand, is a doubtful starter. The Irish-trained Istabraq has been trimmed half-a-point by William Hill and heads their market at 9 to 2 for the Cheltenham showpiece on March 17th.
The same horse is the 5 to 1 clear favourite with Ladbrokes, and shares that price with Shadow Leader in the Coral list.
The bookmakers were required to bring out their scissors after it emerged that Make A Stand has heat in his near-fore.
Trainer Martin Pipe has already scrapped plans to run the six-year-old in the Pertemps Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
Make A Stand, an impressive all-the-way winner in the Champion Hurdle last March, has been off the course since finishing a well-beaten third to Bimsey in the Martell Aintree Hurdle at the Grand National meeting.
But despite Make A Stand's probable absence from this season's premier hurdle, trainer Ian Balding is still refusing to confirm exciting Flat race recruit Grey Shot a definite runner at Cheltenham.
The Goodwood Cup winner sauntered home at Taunton on his jumping debut in a fast time, leaving the strong impression that he will take high rank over timber.
Coral and William Hill offer 16 to 1 for the Champion with Ladbrokes far more generous at 25s.
Balding has earmarked the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on January 10th for Grey Shot's next appearance.
Champion Hurdle betting - William Hill: 9 to 2 Istabraq, 6 to 1 Shadow Leader, 10 to 1 Collier Bay & San Martino, 14 to 1 Relkeel, 16 to 1 Grey Shot & I'm Supposen, 20 to 1 bar. Ladbrokes: 5 to 1 Istabraq, 6 to 1 Shadow Leader, 8 to 1 Sanmartino, 10 to 1 Collier Bay & Relkeel, 14 to 1 Grimes, 20 to 1 bar. Coral: 5 to 1 Istabraq and Shadow Leader, 8 to 1 San Martino, 10 to 1 Collier Bay & Relkeel, 16 to 1 Dato Star & Grey Shot, 20 to 1 bar.
One Man will face a maximum of 10 rivals in the £100,000 Pertemps King George VI Chase on St Stephen's Day as he attempts to put himself among jump racing's all-time greats.
The grey is trying to emulate Wayward Lad and Desert Orchid, the only other horses to win the Kempton spectacular more than twice.
There were no surprises as the final entries were made yesterday. Leading the list of opposition lined up against One Man are the greys Suny Bay and Senor El Betrutti.
Barton Bank, the winner of the race in 1993, and Rough Quest, last year's runner-up, are also in the field.
French-trained Algan, triumphant in 1994, is back again along with his stablemate Djeddah.
King George Betting - William Hill: Evens One Man, 3 to 1 Suny Bay, 9 to 2 Barton Bank, 10 to 1 Rough Quest, 14 to 1 Senor El Betrutti, 20 to 1 Challenger du Luc, 25 to 1 Djeddah & See More Business, 50 to 1 Algan, 66 to 1 Yorkshire Gale, 100 to 1 Go Ballistic.
