Entries confirmed for Champion Hurdle Istabraq heads the list of 20 horses left in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle following today`s confirmation stage.Aidan O`Brien`s star has recovered from his workout at Leopardstown last week and remains on course to bid for an unprecedented fourth success in the Stg#270,000 contest.When asked about Istabraq`s well being the trainer said: 'So far he`s fine for Cheltenham.'All the leading fancies stand their ground but one notable absentee is Westender.Martin Pipe`s six-year-old will instead run in the opening Gerrard Supreme Novices` Hurdle on the same card.The news was revealed by the champion trainer, who explained: 'Westender will run in the novice race as that is where we feel he has the best chance of winning. If he had a chance in the Champion, he should certainly win the novice race.'
