MICK FITZGERALD ha& been confirmed as the big-race pilot for Smurfit Champion Hurdle outsider Land Afar.

The jockey's boss, Nicky Henderson, confirmed his Champion entry Cheryl's Lad runs in the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle instead.

This clears the way for Fitzgerald to ride the Paul Webber-trained Land Afar and the partnership will take on big-race favourite Alderbrook in the K J Pike & Sons Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton - weather permitting - tomorrow.

Webber admitted: "We are all frightened of Alderbrook, but you have got to run somewhere and it might as well be a rare occasion when we receive 3lb. Also, we go with the benefit of a previous run, unlike Alderbrook."

The Fijzgerald-partnered Lana Afar was second, beaten eight lengths, by Atours on his reappearance in the Agfa Hurdle at Sandown last month and is still available at 40 to 1 for the March 12th showpiece.

Land Afar fell when well in contention for the last two Champion Hurdles and Webber said: "If it's a jinx, then there is nothing we can do about it. I backed him both times and did so again last December at 50 to 1."

Fizgerald, who comes in for the ride because regular jockey Graham McCourt is committed to Richard Hannon's Right Win, said: "Land Afar is one of the best jumpers you can sit on so I find it amazing, to say the least, that he has fallen in the last two Champion Hurdles.

Gordon Richards' Unguided Missile, the mount of Richard Dunwoody, has been all the rage for the Racing Post Chase at Kempton Park with layers reporting good business on the Betterware Cup winner and favourite for Saturday's race.