Lounaos Chasing Another Big AIG Run

Lounaos is ready to take on the best in the AIG (Europe) Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday week.

The five-year-old mare has been showing all the right signs since registering her first success for a year at Limerick on St Stephen's Day.

Eoin Griffin's charge shot to prominence in last year's AIG when she ran a huge race to finish fourth behind the crack trio of Hardy Eustace, Brave Inca and Macs Joy.

She went off 7-2 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle on her next start but was disappointing in finishing 10th of the 23 runners in a race won by Katchit.

'Everything's going according to plan with her so we'll heading there,' said Griffin.

'She'll probably go there as an outsider but she's in good form and is entitled to rake her chance.

'She's done well since her last race and we're happy with her preparation at this stage. Hopefully she'll get to the AIG in one piece and everything will be all right.

'She appreciates soft ground, but maybe doesn't like it too heavy. Obviously the weather at present isn't good, so we'll just have to see.'

(C) PA Sport