Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle Tips

Paddypower tipsters sat down on Monday night and discussed who they thought would win the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle. Jessica Harrington "Again for me it's about the trio of Irish horses. There has never been more than a few lengths between Hardy Eustace, Brave Inca and Macs Joy and it's all about who has the form on the day. I will say that my fellow (Macs Joy) has had a bad preparation. He's ok but I'm concerned about his preparation. It's a great race and I have a feeling that the old guard will have enough to hold of the younger horses."Mick Fitzgerald "I totally agree with Jessica. It's a fantastic race and I wouldn't be surprised to see 4 or 5 horses jumping the last upsides each other. There is nothing between them. You have to think that the soft ground will suit Detroit City but remember that Hardy Eustace finished 2nd to him without wearing blinkers. I know for a fact that Conor O'Dwyer and Dessie Hughes left Cheltenham that day very satisfied with Hardy's run without the blinkers. They'll be back on for the Festival and I'd expect him to improve." Brian Flanagan "Again I agree with that. For me It's Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace, with Asian Maze the interesting outsider of the field. She sets the pace and is really class on her day. Don't forget that she murdered Hardy at Aintree last year. A lot of people see her as a World Hurdle horse but I think she's good enough to take her chance here." Derek Thompson "I really can't look beyond Detroit City for this one. I think he is a wonderful horse and will be an absolute superstar" The Couch"Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Detroit City tends to win with his ears pricked. He is exceptional and the reason that he never looks spectacular is because he idles in front. But if you watch, every time a horse gets close to him he finds again and goes away. He is my nap of the Festival"