Halo cut for Champion after impressive reappearance Celestial Halo got his campaign off to the best possible start when defying top-weight in great style under Ruby Walsh in the totescoop6 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton this afternoon. Last year's Champion Hurdle runner-up hit the front before the turn for home and, despite giving away lumps of weight to the opposition, the 11-4 joint-favourite drew clear to readily beat Mamlook by ten lengths. The other joint-favourite Whiteoak was back in third.. Trainer Paul Nicholls said: "I am very impressed with that because we've left plenty to work with. It's surprised me a bit to be honest as you can't always gauge their improvement from four to five. He'll go to the Bula (Boylesports International) at Cheltenham next." Celestial Halo was cut to 8-1 from 11's for the Champion Hurdle with Paddy Power.
