Lounas may take on big guns

Eoin Griffin has confirmed that Lounaos, the 10-1 joint-favourite for the Triumph Hurdle, is a real possibility for the AIG Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 28.

The four-year-old filly has created a big impression since her switch to the winter game and finds herself heading the betting for the juvenile championship at the Festival along with Alan King’s Katchit.

However, the fact that she was good enough to win the November Handicap on the level gives Griffin hope that she can mix it with the best over timber, especially as she will be in receipt of 19lb in the AIG.

“It’s very much on the agenda,” said Griffin.

“We’ll be getting 19lb off some of the top horses.

“We are under no illusions about the size of the task but if the ground came up soft, I’m not saying she is definitely going to run, but she likes the track and is a good, tough, genuine performer.

“We think an awful lot of her and with the 19lb pull, we think it might be worthwhile taking a chance.

“She has run against Al Eile and Hardy Eustace on the Flat and beaten them and I know it is different codes and I don’t know how wound up Hardy Eustace was that day, but if the ground came up soft we might just lean towards the AIG,” he told At The Races.

“Horses are not machines and you need to run them when they are well. Saying that, she is straightforward to train and I’ve never had any problems with her.

“She is not a typical National Hunt mare as she has proven herself on the Flat as a three-year-old against older horses.

“She is a very high-class performer in her own right and I’m not saying we are going to beat them all but if she was placed on the day we would be delighted.

“We’ll see how the race cuts up nearer the time and make a decision then.

“With regards to Cheltenham she will just be entered for the Triumph Hurdle.

“If she did win the AIG we might have to reconsider but as thing stands she is going for the Triumph, as long as there is cut in the ground. If it was quick she wouldn’t go.”