Dunguib's Champion Hurdle poser

Dunguib will be a surprise inclusion among the Champion Hurdle entries at the latest declaration stage tomorrow.

Unbeaten over hurdles, the seven-year-old won last year's Cheltenham Festival Bumper by 10 lengths and is many people's idea of their 'banker' at the meeting.

Dunguib is currently the 5-4 favourite with Paddy Power for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the opening race of the four-day meeting in March.

But Irish trainer Philip Fenton has decided to leave the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle winner in the two-mile championship race, where he would face more seasoned rivals. Dunguib, a 4-1 shot 'with a run' for the Champion Hurdle with Paddy Power, is on course for the Deloitte Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown on 7 February.

Fenton said: "He's had an entry in the Champion Hurdle and we will take it step by step. But the Supreme is without doubt the main objective.