THE gulf between Alderbrook and Danoli in the betting for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle widened yesterday as the threat of fast ground gripped ante post backers.

Punters began to get on edge anxious that the latest Cheltenham weather forecast predicted little substantial rain before next Tuesday when the meeting opens. The ground is currently described as good.

As a result, while Alderbrook remained a solid odds on favourite with the major bookmakers, confidence in Danoli began to ebb, with Ladbrokes pushing the Irish challenger out to 9-2 from 4-1.

Collier Bay was also a victim as his odds lengthened to 12-1 with Ladbrokes and the Tote while support poured in for Hotel Minella, the horse he beat a head to land the Irish Champion Hurdle.

Hotel Minella, for whom Charlie Swan was prepared to desert Danoli and known to be favoured by less testing ground, is now 5-1 joint second favourite with Hills and the Tote, cut from 7-1.

But Cheltenham clerk of the course Philip Arkwright believes the sceptics have little to fear with the metro logical service expecting as much as half an inch of rain to fall on Champion Hurdle day.

If accurate, the forecast will do little to help Jamie Osborne select his Champion Hurdle mount and only increase the likelihood that he will partner Mysilv, one of 17 five day acceptors for the big race yesterday.

The jockey will discuss his choice with trainer Charlie Egerton and Jim Old before the weekend but the prospect of Graham Bradley teaming up with Collier Bay is increasing by the day.

A late jockey announcement is also expected for Squire Silk, whose regular rider Paul Carberry is suspended.

Graham McCourt, successful aboard Royal Gait in 1992, will continue on Right Win, provided the ground remains good otherwise he will he switched to the Supreme Novices Hurdle if conditions ease significantly.

Trainer Richard Hannon believes the Flat racer's run behind Alderbrook at Kempton where he was beaten 15 lengths into fourth, should be forgotten.