Harchibald out of Champion Hurdle

ON THE day that the entries were revealed for the Champion Hurdle Noel Meade finally conceded that Harchibald is out of Champion Hurdle as the most gifted if infuriating of all the contenders will not make it to Cheltenham on March 14.

Champion Hurdle Ante Post Betting

Injured in defeat at Leopardstown over Christmas, Harchibald has now been ruled out until next season.This is the outcome Meade anticipated when Harchibald was admitted for complicated surgery after it was discovered that a shard of birch had penetrated a tendon. Subsequent medical bulletins shed more optimism on the situation, however, and the horse was still trading at 5-1 when he appeared among 35 entries for the Cheltenham showpiece yesterday.By evening, however, he was out of contention, after a discussion between Meade, the Co Meath trainer, and the surgeon, Hugh Dillon. “We had a long chat and we’ve made the decision that we’re not going to train him again this season,” Meade said.

“Hugh thinks it’s best to give him time.“It was clear that he wasn’t going to be ready for Cheltenham and we didn’t want to rush him back for Punchestown. We are pretty hopeful that he will make a 100 per cent recovery and the wound has healed very well, but with a horse like this you don’t take risks.”

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