OUTSIDERS TO PROVIDE CHAMPION VALUE

Istabraq, the cheapest horse at Ballydoyle who has become the star of Ireland`s most glittering stable, looks poised to achieve the 'impossible' next month.

With all the major trials for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle now out of the way he is long odds-on to land an unprecedented fourth victory in the big race - and a remarkable fifth straight Cheltenham Festival win.

And Ireland`s most popular jumper, bought for just 38,000 guineas by Aidan O`Brien but now far more famous than most of his million-dollar stable-companions, fully deserves his place in the ante-post list.

He delighted his massive fan club and silenced the doubters with an emphatic win in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last month - his fourth in succession in his country`s biggest hurdle race.

Those who scented the end of an era when the champion suffered the first fall of his career at the same course on New Year`s Eve were made to think again as he cruised home an easy four-and-a-half-length winner.

And there is likely to be even better to come a fortnight on Tuesday.

As O`Brien said: 'We have trained him very cautiously this year to peak at the right time so hopefully he will be better for the race and he should go to Cheltenham with a big shout if we can keep him in one piece.'

Jockey Charlie Swan, who has delayed his retirement to share in the great horse`s success story, added: 'It is very realistic to hope he can win at Cheltenham again - he definitely can do it.'

However, odds no better than 1-3 make little appeal for ante-post punters given the fitness risks that come with his age.

But each-way alternatives are not easy to find.

It is certainly hard to recommend either of Nicky Henderson`s pair Geos or Landing Light at no better than 14-1 apiece, as the former disappointed last time and the latter has an awful lot of improvement to find.

Hors La Loi III, Hitman and Grimes were each put in their place behind the four-year-old Azertyuiop in last Thursday`s Axminster Hurdle at Wincanton.

Second place by the first-named did was at least better than he had achieved in two dreadful efforts previously this term but it is hard to see his repeating last year`s second to Istabraq at Cheltenham.

And Bounce Back appears to owe his lofty market position more to the reputation of trainer Francois Doumen than his form.

But Barton and Stage Affair both have a definite touch of class and look potentially overpriced at 20-1 or bigger.

Barton ran away with the Royal & SunAlliance Novices` Hurdle here two years ago for Tim Easterby and returned from a season off to land the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last November.

The following month he ran a fine second to Geos in an unsuitably slowly-run Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham, where he was giving 4lb to the winner.

Noises emanating from his stable suggest he is over the illness which caused him to disappoint in the Cleeve Hurdle and it would be no surprise to see him going close in a race his trainer`s father Peter won five times.

Also seeking a first Champion Hurdle triumph is Irish trainer Dermot Weld.

But he has won most of the other big races round the world and is far from without a chance here with Stage Affair.

Though only fifth last year, and fourth behind Istabraq on unsuitably soft ground at Leopardstown last time, he has reportedly been revitalised by the fitting of blinkers in which he won a recent schooling hurdle at Fairyhouse.

But first prize looks Istabraq`s for the taking again.

As O`Brien said: 'It`s impossible for a horse to win five times in a row at Cheltenham - but with this horse it is possible.'

Smurfit Champion Hurdle betting:

Ladbrokes: 1-3 Istabraq, 12-1 Landing Light, Moscow Flyer, 14-1 Geos, 16-1 Hors La Loi III, Stage Affair, 20-1 Bounce Back, Youlneverwalkalone, 25-1 Barton, 33-1 bar.

William Hill: 1-3 Istabraq, 10-1 Landing Light, 12-1 Geos, Hors La Loi III, 14-1 Moscow Flyer, 16-1 Barton, 20-1 Bounce Back, Stage Affair, Youlneverwalkalone, 25-1 bar.