Murphy wary of Eile task

Timmy Murphy believes recent December Festival Hurdle winner Al Eile is a better horse at Aintree than at Cheltenham – but admits the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle looks an open race this year.

After repelling Hardy Eustace over two miles in Leopardstown’s recent Grade One, trainer John Queally suggested his charge would at least get an entry at Prestbury Park.