Istabraq drifts in Champion betting Istabraq continued to be friendless in the ante-post market on the Smurfit Champion Hurdle today.The Tote eased Aidan O`Brien`s star from 7-4 to 15-8 to record an historic fourth hurdlers` crown at Cheltenham in March.'We haven`t been able to give Istabraq away in our Champion Hurdle market so far,' said Tote spokesman Jeremy Scott. 'And the three-times champion remains a winner in our book.'With some shrewd money coming in for some of the young pretenders to the crown, including Brother Joe, Valiramix and Landing Light - all of which we`ve laid at big prices - we`re now more than prepared to lay a chunk on Istabraq.'Istabraq`s bid for a fourth title was dashed last year when the Festival fell victim to the foot and mouth outbreak, and he fell in two of his three starts in 2001.His reappearance victory this season did not satisfy everyone and he had only a head to spare over Bust Out at Leopardstown at Christmas.Tote betting: 15-8 Istabraq , 7-2 Valiramix, 9-2 Landing Light, 14-1 Bilboa, Brother Joe, Jair Du Cochet, Stormez, 16-1 Arctic Owl, Ned Kelly, 20-1 Marble Arch, Moscow Flyer, 25 bar.
