Newmill Enters Champion Hurdle Frame Newmill could run in the Champion Hurdle rather than defend his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown at the Cheltenham Festival.Irish handler John Murphy would consider the possibility of letting his nine-year-old take his chance over timber at Prestbury Park if the ground came up unsuitably testing.He said: 'We've left him in the Champion Hurdle to buy time, and we'll see how things are nearer the Festival.'We'll make a decision the week before and if the ground was heavy, I think we could change our mind and go for the Champion Hurdle.'I'm not saying we will, I'm saying we could, as the aim now is the Champion Chase ? but the ground will be a factor in our decision,' the County Cork trainer told the Racing Post.Newmill hacked up in last year's Queen Mother and is second favourite behind Well Chief for the Seasons Holidays-sponsored heat this time around.However, he was last seen on a racecourse defeating Champion Hurdle fancy Macs Joy by eight lengths at Gowran on Saturday.His odds for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle range from 16-1 (Coral) to 50-1 (Paddy Power).(C) PA Sport
