The Noel Meade-trained Go Native heads a list of 12 horses who stood their ground at the 48 declaration stage for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.

The seven year old, who is the 7-2 favourite with Hills, could land a £1 million bonus following his successes in the WBX Fighting Fifth and the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle.

Solwhit, the 6-1 second favourite for the race, was a major doubt for the race last week, but Charles Byrnes charge was found in good order on Saturday, and will now take his chance in the two miler.

Nicky Henderson looks to have the best chance of keeping the Champion Hurdle trophy on British soil. The trainer has declared three horses - last year’s winner Punjabi, last year’s beaten favourite Binocular, and last year’s Triumph hurdle winner Zaynar.

Other interesting entries include the Paul Nicholls-trained Celestial Halo, the Boylesports International winner Khyber Kim, and last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle runner-up - Medermit. 

Jumbo Rio, Raise Your Heart, Starluck and Won In the Dark complete the Champion line-up.

William Hill spokesman Tony Kenny said “The Champion Hurdle looks like the most open of the Championship events, and as a result we’ve seen a really good spread of money on the race .” He continued “Binocular and Celestial Halo are currently our biggest losers in the Champion Hurdle, but we’ve also seen a lot of Irish money for the favourite Go Native.”

Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle: (William Hill bet) 7-2 Go Native, 6-1 Solwhit, 15-2 Khyber Kim, 8-1 Binocular, Medermit, Punjabi, Zaynar,  9-1 Celestial Halo, 12-1 Starluck, 66-1 Won In The Dark100-1 Jumbo Rio, 200-1 Raise Your Heart – All 12 Quoted (EW ¼ 1,2,3)