Lounaos May Take On Big Guns In AIG

Eoin Griffin has confirmed that Lounaos, the 10-1 joint-favourite for the Triumph Hurdle, is a real possibility for the AIG Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 28.

The four-year-old filly has created a big impression since her switch to the winter game and finds herself heading the betting for the juvenile championship at the Festival along with Alan King's Katchit.

But the fact that she was good enough to win the November Handicap on the level gives Griffin hope that she can mix it with the best over timber, especially as she will be in receipt of 19lb in the AIG.

'It's very much on the agenda,' said Griffin.

'We'll be getting 19lb off some of the top horses.

'We are under no illusions about the size of the task but if the ground came up soft, I'm not saying saying she is definitely going to run, but she likes the track and is a good, tough, genuine performer.

'We think an awful lot of her and with the 19lb pull, we think it might be worthwhile taking a chance.

'She has run against Al Eile and Hardy Eustace on the Flat and beaten them and I know it is different codes and I don't know how wound up Hardy Eustace was that day, but if the ground came up soft we might just lean towards the AIG,' he told At The Races.

(C) PA Sport