Top Class Field For AIG

The AIG Europe Champion Hurdle was one of the races of the entire year in 2005 with Macs Joy defeating Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace and with all three protagonists engaged again, Sunday's renewal at Leopardstown promises to be another thriller.

Eight horses were left in after today's (Tuesday) forfeit stage and the likely favourite will be Colm Murphy's Brave Inca, winner of the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown and the bewleyshotels.com December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown already this season. His main market rival will be the Dessie Hughes trained Hardy Eustace, winner of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham for the last two years and successful on his seasonal debut at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. Jessica Harrington's Macs Joy has struggled to re-capture last year's form but with the stable showing signs of a return to form in recent weeks, it could be dangerous to write him off.

Other notable entries are the John Queally trained Al Eile who proved successful in a Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock last Saturday while Michael Halford's Golden Cross, narrowly beaten by Solerina in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in early December, is another to be strongly considered. Noel Meade's Arch Rebel, Willie Mullins' Sadlers Wings and English raider, The French Furze, third in this event in 2002, complete a top class field.

AIG Europe Champion Hurdle (8 remaining after forfeit)

Al Eile, Arch Rebel, Brave Inca, Golden Cross, Hardy Eustace, Macs Joy, Sadlers Wings, The French Furze

On an excellent card with the first of seven races off at 1.20 pm, the Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase sees nine horses remain after the forfeit stage today and these are headed by the Willie Mullins trained Missed That. Successful in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last year, Missed That landed the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase over the same course and distance on St Stephen's Day and will again face Eamon Sheehy's Justified, who was a first fence faller on that occasion. Justified went on to win at Newbury a couple of weeks ago and will be a serious rival but the presence of Martin Brassil's exciting chaser, Nickname, really adds spice to an intriguing contest. Formerly trained in France, Nickname has looked a really top class performer in winning his two outings over fences to date and is sure to be a leading fancy for this Grade One contest.

The Tote Jackpot Pool is guaranteed for ?30,000.

Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase (9 remaining after forfeit)

Arteea, Augherskea, Justified, Mansony, Missed That, Nickname, On The Net, Tiger Cry, Zum See