Macs Joy reaches the winners' enclosure.

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Ireland tightened its grip on the Smurfit Champion Hurdle as Macs Joy (7-1) claimed some notable scalps in the Bewleys Hotels December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown.

With the reigning champion Hardy Eustace back in third, the two-length winner of the Grade One contest was slashed in the ante-post lists for the hurdler's crown in March, with Ladbrokes cutting him to 8-1 from 20s and Paddy Power going as short as 7-1.

The Jessica Harrington-trained five-year-old is now one of five challengers from the Emerald Isle who dominate the Champion Hurdle betting.

Macs Joy kicked off his campaign by giving weight and a beating to Brave Inca when the pair met in Down Royal last month and he again confirmed the placings at level weights with Colm Murphy's charge running on strongly to take second.

Reigning champion Hardy Eustace was sent off the 6-4 favourite but was disappointment in finishing a further three lengths away.

"I'm delighted," said Mrs Harrington. "The stable has been under a bit of a cloud and I have been walking on eggshells that last few days - but, thankfully, he has shown no signs of being under the weather.

"He jumped well throughout and galloped all the way to the line."

The gelding was last seen finishing third to current Champion Hurdle favourite Harchibald at Punchestown, when second-favourite and subsequent Bula Hurdle winner Back In Front was second.

"When he got beaten in Punchestown he didn't jump that well at the first couple of flights and I think that race may have come too soon after he ran in the North," Mrs Harrington continued.

"He jumped brilliantly today, though, and Barry said that he could have gone on at any time. He has always had a lot of faith in the horse and has always said that he has a lot of speed.

"He doesn't need soft ground, and it might have been a bit too soft today, but he goes on most surfaces."

Macs Joy is now on course to clash with Harchibald back at Leopardstown at January 23 in the AIG Champion Hurdle, a race that could also feature Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace, as well as the other leading Irish hope, Accordion Etoile.

"I put him in the AIG this morning and he will also be put in the Tote Gold Trophy - but we will have to see what the handicapper does first," said Mrs Harrington.

"Coming into this he was very well handicapped but that might have changed now, although if Rooster Booster ran at Newbury we might be alright."

Geragthy arrived back into the winner's enclosure to a chorus to "winner alright", which emanated from a group of Macs Joy supporters just outside the parade ring.

"The faster they go, the better he likes it," said the jockey, who had ridden two winners and suffered four falls the previous day. "I was always going well and he won nicely."

Brave Inca had been settled towards the rear throughout and only started to motor in the closing stages.

His effort pleased his trainer, who said: "I am over the moon. He finished really well and we are on course for the AIG and the Champion Hurdle now."

As expected, once the white flag was raised, James Bowes' front-running mare Solerina led the field until they left the back straight, at which point Hardy Eustace looked to make a winning move when going on under Conor O'Dwyer.

Solerina did not give in, however, and battled well but lacked the finishing kick of the first three home, while Hardy Eustace could not stay with the winner and failed to make any impression towards the line.

His trainer Dessie Hughes was at a loss to explain the run and feels the market leader failed to show his true form.

"What can I say? He didn't sparkle and should have run on. I am very disappointed," said Hughes.

"I thought that he was going to win at one point but he found nothing. The ground made no difference as there was nothing there when he had a chance.

"We will take him home and see how he is but the AIG is the obvious place to go."