The €130,000 AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday is set to provide an exciting contest, despite the absence of Istabraq. The feature event of a seven-race card will have three overseas challengers in the eight-strong field.
Best of them could be Geos, Nicky Henderson's consistent seven year-old, who should relish the forecast testing conditions and gets the vote to come out on top. Last seen chasing home Edredon Bleu over fences in November, the 2000 Tote Gold Trophy hero can also boast a second to stable-mate Landing Light at Sandown last April amongst some impressive hurdle form.
Liss A Paoraigh and Ned Kelly look the pick of the home team, but have yet to scale the heights of the selection and may have to settle for minor money on this occasion.
Moscow Flyer takes another step on the road to a possible Arkle Trophy bid at Cheltenham in the 2m Irish version. Despite fears over the ground, he should be too strong for his rivals under substitute jockey Paul Moloney.
That's The Story is awarded the nap selection in the 2m6f handicap hurdle, having been raised just 2 lb for a penultimate flight fall when set for an easy victory at the Limerick Christmas meeting.
