AIG (Europe) Champion Hurdle

Five of the first six in the ante-post Champion Hurdle betting hold an entry in the Irish equivalent, the AIG (Europe) Champion Hurdle, held at Leopardstown on Sunday, setting up a potential clash of the genuine two-mile hurdling heavyweights.However, with the ground expected to be testing, MACS JOY looks set to deliver a knock out blow to his rivals and rates an absolute must-bet at generous odds of 2-1 offered by Paddy Power.Jessica Harrington's charge has a real penchant for soft ground, which he demonstrated to some effect when putting in a power-packed display to land the Festival Hurdle over the AIG Champion Hurdle course and distance last month.Always cruising in the leaders' slipstream, Macs Joy stalked his rivals menacingly before being produced at the penultimate flight and readily quickening three-lengths clear of his nearest pursuer, Brave Inca, with Hardy Eustace and Solerina cooked in third and fourth respectively.That was as good a performance as we have seen from a horse over two miles this season and Macs Joy will be extremely difficult to beat, especially as Solerina is set to re-oppose, thus ensuring that a truly run race ensues.Indeed, Solerina's participation is crucial to Macs Joy's credentials, as he is a much better horse when held up off a strong pace, a point underlined by his run in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in November where he finished third behind Harchibald and Back In Front.That race was a tactical affair and Macs Joy was in front too soon, causing him to idle and lose valuable momentum, before staying on again close home. While the subsequent exploits of Harchibald and Back In Front - currently the first two in the Champion Hurdle betting - mean that Macs Joy lost no caste in defeat in that Punchestown contest, it may well have been a completely different story had the race been run at a strong end-to-end gallop.If Macs Joy and Harchibald meet again on faster going at Cheltenham in March, I would be inclined to side with Noel Meade's charge, but under forecasted conditions, this race is all about Macs Joy.Brave Inca, winner of the 2004 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, looked all at sea four out in the Festival Hurdle and was under vigorous pressure, but responded gamely to stay on well, although never looking a threat to Macs Joy. While improvement should be forthcoming, Brave Inca appears to lack the pace of the leading two-milers and may again have to settle for a minor role.The soft underfoot conditions will be a real concern for connections of Accordion Etoile, winner of the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last time, who is far more effective on good ground or faster, while reigning Champion Hurdler Hardy Eustace was beaten fair and square behind Macs Joy last time and there are no grounds upon which one can expect him to reverse the placings.