Champion Hurdle contenders update Celestial Halo is set to complete his Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle preparations in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. Owner Andy Stewart admits that last year's runner-up will have to improve on his performance at the weekend when second to Khyber Kim in the Boylesports.com International at Cheltenham to figure in March. "He still has something to prove. If he'd pinged the last I still think Khyber Kim would have caught him. He was a bit flat and he didn't pick up after the last. Whether he is good enough to win a Champion Hurdle I don't know" said Stewart. "Every time I look at the betting for the Champion I think none of the first six or seven in the betting are probably going to win it. He loves Cheltenham and likes a battle up that hill but it just didn't work on Saturday, it's as simple as that. "We've obviously got to rev him up a little bit for him to come in the first three, let alone win it. We'll probably go back to Wincanton and give him one more run before the Champion," he told At The Races. Reigning Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdler Punjabi weakened from before the last when fourth on his reappearance on Saturday but connections are confident of turning the tables on those that finished in front. Nicky Henderson's six-year-old travelled better than anything before turning into the home straight where he blew up, suggesting he needed the run, as his trainer was widely reported as saying in the build-up to the race. The result muddied the Champion Hurdle waters still further with stablemate Zaynar now topping some lists after his victory in the Relkeel Hurdle. However owner Raymond Tooth's racing manager Tony Stafford suggested Punjabi "may even have improved" and pin-pointed the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las as a possible on the route back to defending his crown. "On Saturday Barry (Geraghty) raved about his jumping and how well he went, suggesting he may even have improved, so I won't be anticipating Khyber Kim, Celestial Halo or Medermit beating him again when they undoubtedly meet once more," said Stafford. "The Welsh Champion at Ffos Las on January 9 could kick-start his Cheltenham repeat build-up." Alan King believes Medermit deserves a chance in next year's Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle following his good third at Cheltenham on Saturday. The grey finished behind Khyber Kim and Celestial Halo in the Boylesports.com International after taking the same position in the Greatwood Hurdle. He was also second to Go Native in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle last spring. King has not yet made a firm plan as to Medermit's Cheltenham build-up, but said: "He's creeping the right way and is now off a career-high mark of 158. "With drier ground in March you never know, and he's worth a try (in the Champion). He'll go chasing next season, he would not be able to get enough practice in for the Arkle this year."
