Moonax eclipsed

Moonax's chances of winning the Champion Hurdle looked remote after his defeat at odds of 8-13 when making his jumping debut at Huntingdon yesterday. The 1994 St Leger winner is now 33-1 with Hills for Cheltenham and will be aimed at another Festival target, perhaps the Stayers' Hurdle.

Sharpical, who easily beat Moonax into second place yesterday, is 50- 1 with the same firm. The winner of a 10-furlong handicap at Leicester in August for Sir Mark Prescott, Sharpical displayed distinct promise. But Nicky Henderson, his trainer, warned that the horse still had a lot to learn.

Results, page 22