Brave Inca Favourite For AIG All the main protagonists for Sunday's Grade 1 AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown stood their ground at this morning's declaration stage to set up a truly sensational contest. The Colm Murphy-trained Brave Inca, winner of the race last year, has already claimed the Hatton's Grace Hurdle and the December Festival Hurdle this season. He has been installed as clear favourite and will be difficult to beat again. Old adversary, the Jessica Harrington-trained Macs Joy, winner of the 2005 renewal and just a length behind Brave Inca last year, will be making his seasonal debut, but he beat Brave Inca at Punchestown in April and is sure to put it up to the champ. And Dessie Hughes has declared Hardy Eustace, third in the race in 2005 and champion hurdler of 2004 and 2005, who proved in the Ascot Hurdle in November that his 10-year-old legs can still go some. Noel Meade is doubly represented, courtesy of Iktitaf, one of last season's leading novices and winner of the Morgiana Hurdle in November, but beaten by Brave Inca in the December Festival Hurdle, and Jazz Messenger, who beat Noble Request and Straw Bear in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton in December. Jessica Harrington has also declared two, with the exciting novice, Hide The Evidence, an impressive winner of the Royal Bond Hurdle last time, joining Macs Joy in the line-up. The field is completed by the two mares, Asian Maze, trained by Tom Mullins, brilliant winner of the Aintree Hurdle last April but on something of a recovery mission after disappointing in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle last time, and Eoin Griffin's progressive four-year-old Lounaos, impressive winner of the juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas and who is in receipt of a massive 19lb from the geldings. The highlight of the rest of a top class card is the Grade 1 Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup, which features the reappearance of the Dessie Hughes-trained Schindlers Hunt, winner of the Durkan New Homes Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. He will not have it all his own way with King John's Castle, Khetaam and Vintage Treasure in opposition.
