Hurricane new Champion favourite

Hurricane Fly (to be ridden by Ruby Walsh) is the new 3/1 favourite with Ladbrokes for Tuesday's Champion Hurdle.

Willie Mullins' star (Paul Townend will ride Thousand Stars) heads 100/30 chance Menorah and 4/1 hopeful Peddlers Cross in the revised betting for the big race following Binocular's defection.

Binocular had been backed into 5/2 to defend his Champion Hurdle with some monster bets, including a £100,000 bet, having been struck in the past fortnight.

David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "In the first instance, our sympathies go out to all connections who must be understandably gutted with the news.

"Silver linings are painfully thin and it feels a bit hollow to try to find them but we've been non-runner no-bet since the end of November last year and that will be some consolation to Binocular backers.

"He was brilliant at Kempton in January and most of our trade was done in the aftermath of that race. They'll all get their money back."