Richard Johnson on Lil Rockerfeller in Stayers Hurdle

Neil King has turned to champion jockey Richard Johnson as super-sub for his stable star Lil Rockerfeller in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown on Thursday.

Regular rider Trevor Whelan is unable to ride after fracturing his collarbone and damaging his shoulder while exercising on his bicycle.

It is a blow for the King team as Whelan has struck up a great rapport with Lil Rockerfeller, having ridden the six-year-old in all bar one of his last 12 starts, including in last month's Stayers' Hurdle, where he put up a career-best effort at Cheltenham when only beaten three-quarters of a length by Nichols Canyon.

"The only disappointment is that Trevor doesn't ride. He had his fitness work on Sunday morning. Unfortunately he hit a kerb and came off his bike," said King.

"He has fractured his collarbone and put his shoulder out so the only good news is that we've got a decent substitute in Richard Johnson."

King resisted the temptation to run Lil Rockerfeller at Aintree to save him for this test and reports his stable star to be in rude health ahead of his big test.

"He's in great form. We said after Cheltenham that we'd bypass Aintree as we think Punchestown will suit him better and it would give him more time to get over his exertions at Cheltenham," he said.

Lil Rockerfeller has to take on Nichols Canyon in his own backyard this time as Willie Mullins' multiple Grade One winner seeks to complete the English/Irish Stayers' Hurdle double.

A massive bonus is up for grabs were he to win the Iroquois Hurdle in America in which he was third last year but Mullins is taking it one race at a time.

"He's in good order. We are going to focus on Punchestown for now and will think about a possible trip back to America for him after that," said Mullins.

"I was very happy with how he came out of Cheltenham."

Jockey Ruby Walsh admitted being taken aback by how Nichols Canyon lasted out the three miles at Cheltenham on only his second attempt at the distance and feels he can now ride the horse with more confidence in future.

"It's a really good race. You have the four of the first five from the Stayers' Hurdle (at Cheltenham), add in Sutton Place and Footpad. It's a cracking renewal," Walsh told Racing UK.

"He probably surprised me with the amount of stamina he showed. He stayed really well to win, but he's also been a genuine Grade One horse. He won any amount of them as a novice and he won two Morgianas and was the only horse to have beaten Faugheen.

"He's always had the ability and maybe he just wanted the trip. He saw it out really well in Cheltenham and it opened up the doors for me to ride any kind of race on him on Thursday."

Nichols Canyon is one of four horses declared by Mullins along with Clondaw Warrior, Shaneshill and Footpad, who was fourth in the Champion Hurdle.

Since lifting this prize 12 months ago, One Track Mind has disappointed in two races when switched to fences.

However, trainer Warren Greatrex is convinced the seven-year-old is in the same shape he was in this time last year.

"It's been a bit of a frustrating season. He hasn't really taken to fences yet," said the Upper Lambourn trainer.

"He's had a bit of a break. He just had a blip, nothing major, around Christmas time.

"We thought we were running out of time but he's definitely a spring horse. He looks fantastic and has been away for a couple of racecourse gallops.

"I'm putting cheekpieces on him which I think will help him. He's in as good a form as last year going into it, if not better. He's going to need to be, as it's a better race.

"Hopefully he can go and do the job."

Unowhatimeanharry was sent off favourite at Cheltenham after winning eight races in a row for Harry Fry but had to settle for third place.

Any rain would be welcomed by connections.

"He ran well at Cheltenham. There were no excuses. He just met two better horses on the day," said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.

"Harry has been happy with him since. With a bit of luck he could change it round and a drop of rain would be helpful. Hopefully he'll give a good account of himself."

McManus has a second string to his bow in Sutton Place, who takes a leap in both class and trip but has won his last five starts in the manner of a progressive type.

"The ground was a bit quick for him at Fairyhouse so we took him out there," said Berry.

"This is a step up for him, but he's in good form and we'll see how we go with him."

Sutton Place is trained by Gordon Elliott, who is also represented by De Plotting Shed, Jury Duty and Lieutenant Colonel.

Completing the 12-strong field is Noel Meade's Snow Falcon, who was fifth to Nichols Canyon at Cheltenham and was third behind Yanworth in the Liverpool Hurdle on his latest outing.