Super Sub Sets The Standard Last year's Champion Hurdle hero Sublimity heads eight entries for the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.John Carr's charge was an impressive winner of the blue-riband event at Prestbury Park last year and ran as though needing the run when fourth in the Boylesports.com International Hurdle on his seasonal reappearance.The eight-year-old is sure to face a stiff examination in the Grade One contest, with last year's winner and dual champion Hardy Eustace among the opposition.Noel Meade's sole representative is Hatton's Grace winner Aitmatov, while Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero Ebaziyan is also a possible.The field is completed by Greatwood Hurdle winner Sizing Europe, Lounaos, Al Eile and Silent Oscar, who has been out of action since defeating the ill-fated Macs Joy at Punchestown last April.John Queally is looking forward to saddling December Festival Hurdle winner Al Eile but admits he would prefer dryer ground at Leopardstown.He said: 'The intention is to run on Sunday, although we'll be keeping a close eye on the weather and obviously we would like a few fine days between then and now but we're keen to run.'He seems to be fine after his last run.'We've not done much with him since but he is very well in himself and that is why we would like to run ? even though the ground is not entirely in his favour.'Although Queally believes his charge is not at his most effective around Cheltenham, the County Waterford-based handler has not ruled out a tilt at the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle in March.Queally added: 'Let's get through Sunday first and Cheltenham is a whole different scenario and a different ball game.'If he won on Sunday, we'd love to have that problem and would have to consider the Champion Hurdle.'But I've not looked beyond Sunday and I don't want to commit one way or the other.'AIG Europe Champion HurdlePaddy Power bet: 5-2 Sizing Europe, 3-1 Al Eile, 7-2 Sublimity, 4-1 Aitmatov, 9-2 Hardy Eustace, 8-1 Lounaos, 14-1 Ebaziyan, 20-1 Silent Oscar.(C) PA Sport
