Menorah heads a field of 11 in the shock absence of Binocular in Tuesday's Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Nicky Henderson's reigning champion failed to respond in time to treatment he had been given for an allergy and was withdrawn at the 11th hour.

Alan King's Salden Licht was the only other defector at the 48-hour final declaration stage.

Henderson will still have a runner in the shape of Welsh Champion Hurdle winner Oscar Whisky.

Ruby Walsh teams up with main Irish hope Hurricane Fly as both rider and trainer Willie Mullins seek their first success in the race.

Walsh, who is favourite to be top jockey at the meeting, was back in the winner's enclosure for the first time at Sandown on Saturday since he broke his leg at Down Royal in November.

Making a belated first appearance at the Festival, Hurricane Fly has already won seven Grade Ones, the latest coming in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January. Mullins also saddles Thousand Stars, winner of the County Hurdle last year.

Trainer Philip Hobbs and jockey Richard Johnson struck with Rooster Booster in 2003 and in Menorah, winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle 12 months ago they have the new favourite.

Peddlers Cross brings a 100% record to the table and carries the hopes of the north.

Donald McCain's stable star has won the Fighting Fifth and Morebattle Hurdles this season and won at last year's Festival. McCain also saddles Overturn.

Khyber Kim will try to go one better than last year for the Nigel Twiston-Davies team while Alan King, triumphant with Katchit in 2008, relies on Kingwell Hurdle victor Mille Chief.

Philip Fenton is hoping Dunguib, the 2009 Champion Bumper winner, can show his true colours after only finishing third in the Supreme last spring. The field is completed by Bygones Of Brid and Clerk's Choice, Paddy Power are to refund all bets on Binocular while Coral's market is now headed by Menorah at 3-1 with Hurricane Fly and Peddlers Cross next best on 7-2.

"Binocular's absence is a huge blow to connections, and is also a major disappointment to racing fans, as the defence of his title promised to be one of the highlights of the Festival," said Coral's David Stevens.

"His ante post backers have also been hit, as he's been a rock solid favourite since his Christmas Hurdle win, but in his absence, Menorah is now the one to beat in our book," added Stevens.

Stan James Champion Hurdle - Coral bet: 3-1 Menorah, 7-2 Hurricane Fly, Peddlers Cross, 9-1 Oscar Whisky, 11-1 Dunguib, 12-1 Khyber Kim, 14-1 Mille Chief, 25-1 Thousand Stars, 50-1 Overturn, Clerk's Choice, 250-1 Bygones Of Brid.