Canyon likely to step up in trip next season Nichols Canyon is likely to be stepped up in distance next season, according to owner Graham Wylie. While another clash with esteemed stablemate Faugheen is on the cards in the Champion Hurdle next month, a crack at the World Hurdle looks likely next year. The score is one-all with Faugheen at present, but Wylie feels the current title holder took his form to a new level in the Irish Champion Hurdle. "Almost certainly he's going to be in the Champion Hurdle, but we'll keep our options open just in case something happens between now and March 15," said Wylie on At The Races. "I think you'll probably see him in the Champion. It depends how he does this year, but I think we may step him up in terms of distance next season. "Faugheen looked very, very impressive, and I don't know even if Nichols Canyon had turned up at his best if he'd have got that close to him. "I think he was very impressive that day. I think with my fella we don't know if it was a hard run (at Christmas) or whether just trying to keep up with Faugheen took the legs off him. We just don't know. "There is a possibility he might turn up in the World Hurdle, but then Thistlecrack looks a very good horse too. "I think the fact is that we haven't run Nichols Canyon at three miles at all. I'm not convinced, therefore, that it would be sensible to take him to the World Hurdle without knowing if he gets the trip."
