Istabraq will face just six opponents when he bids for a record fourth AIG Europe Champion Hurdle success at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Despite his dramatic last-flight tumble over the Leopardstown course and distance on New Year' Eve, the bookmakers yesterday had no hesitation in making the triple champion hurdler as low as 1 to 3 favourite for the weekend feature.
Aidan O'Brien yesterday also gave an upbeat bulletin on Istabraq who will probably be schooled over hurdles later in the week.
Quizzed as to whether the champion's confidence may have been affected by the fall 17 days ago, the Ballydoyle trainer replied: "You never know, but hopefully not."
He added: "He seems fine and I'm very happy with him. He was pretty sharp for his first run too but fitness-wise there is plenty to come with him yet. Hopefully he will have a school some day this week."
Cashmans go 1 to 3 about the title holder for Sunday, but Paddy Power have decided that Dermot Weld's Stage Affair will be his main danger despite Moscow Flyer having won that epic New Year's Eve clash.
Stage Affair is their 9 to 2 second favourite despite riding arrangements having not yet been finalised. But Weld confirmed yesterday: "The horse is well and will run on Sunday."
Just eight horses remained in the AIG at yesterday's forfeit stage, including the Christy Roche-trained Youlneverwalkalone, but that horse, like Istabraq owned by JP McManus, will instead run in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock on Saturday.
"Haydock is the plan and Conor (O'Dwyer) will ride. I'm happy with the horse and his weight is good," said Roche, who could also run his other AIG entry Aerleon Pete in the same Haydock race.
Pat Hughes will try to add to Sunday's Pierse Hurdle victory with Mantles Prince and an interesting outsider is likely to be Have Merci, who races in the colours of the Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood.
The leading novice chaser, Knife Edge, was yesterday confirmed a Baileys Arkle Trophy runner on Sunday by trainer Michael O'Brien, with other notable entries for the race including Well Ridden and the weekend winner, Ross Moff.
