Trainer Nicky Henderson has decided his star hurdling mare Amaretto Rose, who holds an entry in the Champion Hurdle, will bypass Saturday's totesport Trophy at Newbury in favour of the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton the following week.

Henderson's Afsoun beat Straw Bear at Sandown on Saturday, and the pair are on course to run in the Champion Hurdle with Straw Bear's trainer Nick Gifford saying: "Afsoun is a bit like us on our day. They are good horses but they are probably just a shade below the very top level. We are there to have a go at the top boys and both horses deserve to have a go at the Champion."