With Sizing Europe maintaining his lead at the top of the odds tables for the 2008 Champion Hurdle, several other runners are looking to challenge for short-odds in the run up to the world’s biggest hurdles race.

Amongst these contenders is Noel Meade’s Harchibald, currently adrift of frontrunners Sizing Europe, Sublimity and Katchit on the 2008 Champion Hurdle odds tables at a price of 9/1. This weekend Meade is looking to prove Harchibald’s class with a run at the Crossmaglen Benefit Night Race on Friday.

Harchibald’s record over hurdles is a testament to both his ability and his unpredictability. In 27 starts Harchibald has taken 9 wins, with another 9 shows to his credit.

One aspect of Harchibald’s career states counting against him is his record over long distance hurdles races. Harchibald has taken only one win over a distance of 2 mile or more and has never won over the 2008 Champion Hurdle distance of 2 miles 110 yards.

Unfortunately the mile and a half outing on Friday will not answer questions over Harchibald’s stamina, even if he takes the expected win. Nevertheless at odds of 9/1, Harchibald is a good pick for those placing low-stakes accumulator bets on Cheltenham Festival races.