Go native 7-2 for Champion after 17 declare at the five-day stage!

The Countdown to Cheltenham continued today, with the first of the five-day declarations announced for the opening day`s racing. Seventeen acceptors remain in first of the Championship races - where Go Native remains William Hill`s 7-2 favourite for the Smurfit Cappa Champion Hurdle

The seven-year-old was last seen finishing a short-head in-front of Starluck in the Williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, and boasts some of the strongest form in the Champion Hurdle with victories over Medermit, Solwhit, Starluck, and Binocular.

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: ``The spread of money that we are seeing for the Champion Hurdle contenders is indicative of how tricky punters are finding this year`s renewal. A live argument can be made for any of the first nine in the betting. The Champion Hurdle has reached an unusual position of being as difficult to work-out than the Pertemps!``

Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle:

• 7-2 Go Native
• 5-1 Solwhit
• 7-1 Punjabi
• 15-2 Zaynar
• 8-1 Medermit
• 9-1 Khyber Kim
• 10-1 Binocular
• 12-1 Celestial Halo, Starluck
• 50-1 Donnas Palm
• 66-1 Won In The Dark
• 100-1 Ebadiyan, Jumbo Rio, Muirhead, Royal And Regal
• 200-1 Raise Your Heart, Kargali

All Quoted

(EW ¼ 1,2,3,4)

Champion Hurdle Betting Facts:

Biggest prices laid

• Go Native - 33-1
• Zaynar - 16-1
• Medermit - 33-1
• Punjabi - 16-1
• Khyber Kim - 50-1

Number of ante-post favourites since betting opened.

FIVE (Hurricane Fly, Binocular, Zaynar, Solwhit, Go Native)

Biggest Loser: Binocular