Barton may get Champion entry Exciting novice chaser Barton could be a surprise entry for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, his owner Sir Stanley Clarke revealed today.Tim Easterby`s horse is scheduled to continue his first season over fences in the Grade 2 Cantor Index `Dipper` Novices` Chase at Newcastle on Saturday.He will be entered at the Cheltenham Festival in March for the Arkle Trophy, the Royal & SunAlliance Chase and the Cathcart Chase.But the perceived fragility shown by triple Champion Hurdler Istabraq on his comeback at Leopardstown last month has prompted the fresh approach.Clarke said: 'I told the Easterbys today that we might as well enter for the Champion Hurdle while we are at it, because I didn`t think Istabraq shined too well in his race the other day in Ireland. So we might just enter him. We will make our minds up tomorrow morning.'But my advice at the moment is that he`d probably run in the Arkle. Tim`s told me his family`s won this race four times and this is the best horse by far we have ever entered in it.'
