Racing:Harchibald, runner-up to Hardy Eustace in the 2005 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle, has been ruled out of this year's renewal by Noel Meade.
The Meath handler also reports Christmas Hurdle winner Jazz Messenger as an unlikely runner and will instead rely on Grade One novice winner Iktitaf.
"I think I will only have one runner in the Champion Hurdle and that will be Iktitaf," said Meade. "Harchibald won't travel over as the ground is against him and it is going the same way with Jazz Messenger, who will go to Japan instead for the Grand Jump."