Cross ready for Leopardstown test

Golden Cross will seek to enhance his growing reputation in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Michael Halford’s seven-year-old ran Solerina to a short head at Fairyhouse in December having won a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown and a Flat event at the Curragh on his previous two starts.

Those were his first outings since finishing seventh in the 2004 Champion Hurdle and Halford will make a decision on a Festival run after this weekend’s Grade One contest.

“He’s working well and is generally in good form,” the Curragh-based handler told At The Races.

“Johnny Murtagh rides him on Sunday and depending how he runs, we’ll make a decision on his Festival target after that.

“We’ve been thinking of upping him in trip but he missed his engagement as he didn’t scope 100%.

“Sunday is a good opportunity to see if he has the speed for two miles or if we need to go up to three.”

Golden Cross is entered in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle and the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham, with Coral quoting him as a 40-1 and 10-1 chance respectively.