He will now have another Champion opponent after Captain Cee Bee, winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2008, was supplemented at a cost of £20,000 by owner JP McManus and trainer Eddie Harty.

Hurricane Fly is unbeaten in three starts so far this term and is one of four horses left in the race by Mullins.

He also has Un De Sceaux, Thousand Stars and Annie Power in the reckoning, although the latter is scheduled to run in Thursday’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained The New One stands his ground, along with the McManus-owned My Tent Or Yours, who beat him in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton in December.

The latter was the subject of a minor injury scare on Tuesday when he was found to have sustained a small puncture wound to the sole of one of his feet.

However, Nicky Henderson reports his charge back on form.

“He’s sound this morning, he was happy on his foot and he will be going for a swim today,” said the champion trainer.

“He was virtually sound on it yesterday, to be honest, but he was just a bit cautious on his foot. Today he is happy back jogging on it and whatever else.

“One is never out of the woods with these things, so we’re just going to give him a swim today and then the plan would be a canter tomorrow.

“He does enjoy swimming and it can freshen them up a bit.

“I’m very happy today and the farriers have done a great job, so many thanks to them.”

McManus is also responsible for the Jessica Harrington-trained Jezki.

Dessie Hughes’ Our Conor was an impressive winner of the Triumph Hurdle last spring and he shoots for Champion glory this time, while Melodic Rendezvous has shone in winning two trial events for Jeremy Scott.

Ptit Zig could represent Paul Nicholls, with Alan King’s Grumeti rounding out the field.