Progressive Request Enters Champion Picture A possible Champion Hurdle contender for next year emerged when Noble Request proved his win at Ayr was no fluke as he landed the Betfred Million Hurdle at Sandown in the hands of Richard Johnson.Philip Hobbs has elevated the grey from being a handicapper to a contender for top honours and having bolted up in the Scottish Champion Hurdle he proved too resolute for Faasel up the hill, scoring by a length and a half, despite meeting that rival on worse terms.Hobbs was represented by his wife Sarah, who said of the 2-1 favourite: 'I must admit we were worried when he coughed as he got off the lorry and he was 15lb wrong with the second.'He's certainly learned how to relax and take everything in his stride which has made a big difference.'Bookmaker reaction to the success varied with Paddy Power leaving the winner at 33-1 for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, William Hill cutting him to 25-1 from that price and Stan James being the most impressed as they slashed him from 25-1 into 14-1.? PA Sport
