Istabraq cut for Champion Hurdle A possible record fourth success in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle for Istabraq has been the focus of punters` attentions today. Cheltenham`s Festival meeting may still be four months away, but the Tote have seen a sustained period of interest in Aidan O`Brien`s star and he has been cut from 7-4 to 11-8 favourite as a result. 'Although still early in the season, the way money has been pouring in, punters have no doubt that the he can pull off a fourth consecutive victory come March,' said Tote spokesman Jeremy Scott. 'They have been very keen to snap up the 7-4 we were offering. 'Perhaps wary of how quickly Istabraq was slashed to 1-2 in the betting for last season`s cancelled event following his win in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January, the 7-4 looked too tempting and we saw a surge in interest again this morning, including one bet of #10,000 forcing the cut to 11-8.' Istabraq is expected to follow a similar campaign this termto that of last season and is due to return in the December Festival Hurdle at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting. In previous seasons, Istabraq had started off in the John James McManus Memorial Hurdle at Tipperary, but those plans were changed last year with disastrous consequences. He looked held when falling for the first time in his career at the final flight in a race won by Moscow Flyer. Istabraq went on to land his fourth consecutive AIG (Europe) Irish Champion Hurdle in January, but dreams of a history-making fourth championship at Cheltenham were dashed because of foot-and-mouth restrictions in Ireland and the abandonment of the Festival. Istabraq bowed out for the season in the Shell Champion Hurdle, which was transferred from Punchestown to Leopardstown, in April, but again he fell at the final hurdle, leaving Moscow Flyer to win that valuable event as well. Smurfit Champion Hurdle, Tote betting: 11-8 Istabraq, 10-1 Azertyuiop, Jairdu Cochet, Ned Kelly, 12-1 Landing Light, 14-1 Westender, 16-1 Ansar, Bilboa, Moscow Flyer, 20-1 Geos, 25-1 Arctic Owl, Montalcino, 33-1 bar.
