Straw Bear Heads Betting For AIG Europe Champion Hurdle William Hill have installed the Nick Gifford trained Straw Bear as their 4-1 favourite for the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle on Sunday the 27th of January. The Christmas hurdle winner heads a list of 14 possible runners in the Leopardstown contest, and could be joined by Harchibald, who was on the wrong side of a head loss to Straw Bear in the Stan James Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on St. Stephen's Day. Other notable entries include the reigning Champion Hurdle winner Sublimity, and Henry De Bromhead's Greatwood Hurdle winner Sizing Europe. Another horse that could attract some interest is Al Eile, who will be aiming to record back-to-back victories at Leopardstown following his impressive success in the Bewleyshotel.com December Hurdle last month. AIG Europe Champion Hurdle: 4-1 Straw Bear, 9-2 Harchibald, Sizing Europe, Sublimity, 5-1 Al Eile, 8-1 Aitmatov, 10-1 Hardy Eustace, Jazz Messenger, 12-1 Lounaos, 16-1 Ebayizan, Silent Oscar, 40-1 Accordian Etolie, 50-1 Adamant Approach, Bahrain Storm ? E/W 1/5 1-2-3
