Harchibald Champion Drifter

The leading fancy for the champion hurdle Harchibald has drifted badly in the betting for the big race following a poor work out prior to the festival.Meade has clearly been rocked by Harchibald's lack-lustre display when partnered by work-rider Peter Kavanagh in the gallop with four stablemates, which included Wild Passion, Sir Oj and Watson Lake. Kavanagh eased his mount towards the end of the work, which was designed to send all involved off to the Festival on a high note.Meade said yesterday: "It was not a serious trial, as such, but we wanted them all to finish together. There is no explaining it – Harchibald worked terrible. Today, he seems OK, and he has scoped OK. And he was pretty well OK within five to 10 minutes of working."At this stage, I'm not taking him out (of the Champion Hurdle). We'll carry on with him and see how the week progresses. Naturally, you'd prefer to be going to Cheltenham off a good piece of work." Bookmaker reaction to Harchibald's gallop was predictable. After occupying a top rung in ante-post betting on the Champion Hurdle for several weeks, he has eased to 5-1 with most firms, leaving Back In Front and Hardy Eustace to dispute favouritism, with Hill's offering as low as 100-30 each of two.

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