Sunday’s Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown looks a cracker with three former winners of the Champion Hurdle – the well-backed Brave Inca, Sublimity and dual Cheltenham hero Hardy Eustace – among the 10 declared runners.

All three took part in the December Festival Hurdle with Sublimity coming out on top – Brace Inca finished five lengths away in third, while Hardy Eustace was last of those who completed the course. However, ground conditions will be a good deal softer on Sunday and for that reason we can expect a different outcome.

Sublimity is simply not as good on soft ground and, with the track likely to resemble a ploughed field by the time the race is run (2.50), I’d be very surprised if Brave Inca doesn’t finish in front of him this time. The heavy ground might not be ideal for him either but he does go on it and if the race turns into a slog, there is no better slogger than him.

The opening show of 8/1 has long gone, though, and the best price now on offer is 7/4 with Boylesports and Betfred, with Sublimity at 5/2 (Stan James). He might even be a bit shorter on the day, but I’m going to take him on with MUIRHEAD, who represents a bit of value at the current 7/2 with Blue Square.

Noel Meade’s five-year-old was among those beaten by Sublimity last time, but he spoiled his chances that day by refusing to settle early on (the steady gallop didn’t help) and, providing Barry Geraghty can restrain him this time around, he can reverse the form. More encouragement for that can be gleaned from the words of his trainer in a recent stable interview:

“He’s in great form right now and the best I’ve had him all season. He won’t mind the testing ground whereas it might inconvenience some of the others. I’ve got a lot of time for this horse and if all goes well on Sunday, we’ll give Cheltenham (Champion Hurdle) some thought.”

Considering that he’s had just five starts over hurdles, he is open to plenty of improvement and, while Brave Inca is going to be tough to beat, this could well be his turn to shine under the Grade 1 lights.

Recommended Bet:

Muirhead 2pts @ 7/2 Blue Square