Ashkazar is in the frame to justify recent support in the ante-post Champion Hurdle market with an outing in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday.

David Pipe's classy four-year-old has been nibbled at for the Smurfit Kappa-sponsored crown after the form of his defeat at last year's Festival meeting received a significant boost.

Paddy Power have trimmed the Fred Winter runner-up into 16-1 from 25s following the win of his Cheltenham conqueror Crack Away Jack last month, and the Irish layers make him their 7-2 favourite for this weekend's event.

Cesarewitch third Mamlook is another Pond House inmate in the mix for the Greatwood, for which 25 stood their ground at Monday's confirmation stage.

Pipe said of the favourite: "He was a high-class horse on the Flat with a high cruising speed and he did well last year.

"He won the Imperial Cup and we then tried the double in the Fred Winter and he was just touched off by Crack Away Jack.

"That form has been franked and he has progressed well through the summer.

"He wouldn't want much rain but he will go on it, although there still is the slight possibility he could go to Haydock the weekend after.

"He will improve and has the size and scope for fences. Wherever he goes I am looking forward to getting him back out on the track."

Pipe harboured hopes of Mamlook and Ashkazar filling the first two places in the Fred Winter, only for the former to run no sort of a race and trail home with the stragglers.

"Mamlook had a great season last year, and although he disappointed in the Fred Winter he bounced back for an impressive win at Ascot at the end of the season," said Pipe.

"We then ran him on the Flat and he went to Royal Ascot, after which we gave him a break. He then went to the Cesarewitch and ran a great race to be third, and Ryan Moore said he didn't quite stay in a true run race.

"He is going back hurdling now and will go to the Greatwood, or to Haydock for a four-year-old only race.

"I hope some of the top weights stay in the Greatwood as he would have a nice weight, and he goes to Haydock or Cheltenham with a great chance."

Last year's Champion Hurdle runner-up Osana is another occupying a box at Pond House and he will return to the track next month in a bid to notch up consecutive wins in the Boylesports International.

The trainer said: "The Boylesports is the plan and we will take it from there. The intention is to keep him over hurdles but if he gets beat there we could have a look at chasing.

"We will take the route that suits both him and Ashkazar best and we will know more after their first runs.

"It would be nicer to keep them apart before Cheltenham but if there is a race that suits them both then they will run."

Crack Away Jack is into single figures in the Champion Hurdle market after his recent win, and Pipe added: "Crack Away Jack has only had seven races so he could be open to more improvement than ours as he raced on the Flat.

"I am happy with our fellow though, and he is a laid back individual with a high cruising speed."

Snap Tie claimed the scalp of reigning champion hurdle winner Katchit last month, but won't be rising to the Greatwood challenge with Philip Hobbs electing not to confirm him at the latest stage.

Hobbs said: "The ground is too soft for him. He'll go for either the Fighting Fifth, the Boylesports or the Christmas Hurdle," said the Minehead trainer.

Elite Hurdle heroine Chomba Womba is another Greatwood entry and is one of three from the Seven Barrows yard of Nicky Henderson along with French Opera and Aigle D'Or.

Last season's Triumph Hurdle runner-up Franchoek is one of three possibles for Alan King along with Squadron and King's Revenge, while Rippling Ring is the sole representative of champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

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