Top Class Card At Leopardstown On Sunday A top class field of 7 have been declared for the ?150,000 AIG Europe Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) at Leopardstown on Sunday.Last year's 1-2-3, Macs Joy, Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace are all set to do battle again. Colm Murphy's Brave Inca is the likely favourite after winning the bewleyshotels.com December Festival Hurdle over the same course and distance in late December while dual Smurfit Champion Hurdle winner, Hardy Eustace, is sure to be a big threat after winning on his seasonal debut at Punchestown on New Year's Eve. Jessica Harrington's Macs Joy was successful in a thriller last year and with his stable coming back into form in recent weeks, he has been well supported in the ante-post betting market during the week while Michael Halford's Golden Cross, will be a first ride in the race for jockey Johnny Murtagh and should certainly be capable of making his presence felt.On an excellent card the ?80,000 Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase has also attracted 7 runners with Martin Brassil's Nickname the possible favourite after winning his only two chases to date in most impressive fashion. Willie Mullins' Missed That landed the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day and Eamon Sheehy's Justified, who fell at the first fence on that occasion but has since won at Newbury, are likely to be the main protagonists in a race which is sure to be a great guide to the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham in mid-March.Latest William Hill prices:AIG Europe Champion Hurdle: 5-4 Brave Inca, 7-4 Hardy Eustace, 6-1 Macs Joy, 15-2 Golden Cross, 33-1 Arch Rebel, Sadlers Wings, 40-1 The French Furze Baileys Arkle Novice Chase: 13-8 Nickname, 7-4 Justified, 11-4 Missed That, 11-1 Mansony, 25-1 Augherskea, 33-1 Arteea, 50-1 On The Net
