Darlan 4/1 For Champion Hurdle

Nicky Henderson and JP McManus made it three Christmas Hurdles in a row as Darlan ran out a comfortable 4.5 length winner. In testing conditions, the jockeys went a moderate pace before the race developed into a 5f sprint for home. With conditions not necessarily in his favour, bookmakers were taken by Darlan’s performance and cut him to 4/1 (Paddy Power) for Festival Glory. For Countrywide Flame (20/1) and Cinders And Ashes (20/1 both Stan James) it looks a long way back.

In a thrilling King George VI Chase, Long Run showed battling qualities to rally after a final fence blunder and win by a neck. The Racing Post awarded the performance a rating of 174, an improvement on recent efforts but still 7lbs below his peak when taking the race two years ago. He is a best price 8/1 (Boylesports) to regain his Gold Cup crown.

Of the vanquished, Cue Card travelled well for a long way despite clattering some of the early fences. Dropped in trip and on better ground he still looks a big player in the Ryanair at 8/1 (Betfred).