Significant support for Istabraq's main opponents has seen bookmakers push out the triple Champion Hurdle winner to evens favourite for this season's race at Cheltenham in March.
Istabraq had been the 6 to 4 on favourite for the Smurfit-sponsored race despite suffering his first fall on his seasonal debut at Leopardstown on New Year's Eve.
The Aidan O'Brien trained gelding is set to try and win a fourth AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday. However Ladbrokes reported substantial each-way support today for Barton in the Champion Hurdle and trimmed Tim Easterby's charge to 8-1 from 12-1. The Harrow firm have also cut Stage Affair to 10-1 from 14-1.
