Lounaos pleasing Griffin

Eoin Griffin reports JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite Lounaos in top shape as the

countdown to the Cheltenham Festival gathers pace.

The filly ran a huge race to chase home the crack trio of Hardy Eustace, Brave

Inca and Macs Joy in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last month

and is a general 5-1 chance for the juvenile championship on March 16.

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"She is in great form," the trainer said.

"We gave her an easy week after the AIG and she goes straight to the Triumph

Hurdle."

Griffin has another smart novice on his hands in the shape of four-time winner

Kazal, who is another Festival possible, albeit only if the ground comes up

suitably soft.

"He goes for the two-and-half-mile graded novice hurdle at Naas on February

25," added the trainer.

"The horse definitely wants soft ground and I doubt it would be soft enough

for him at Cheltenham.

"But if things did go well and he got his ground, he might go for the Brit

Insurance. We'll see how things go at Naas first."