Lord Transcend - hugely impressive. (Getty Images)

By Carl Llewellyn

The AIG Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown provided a great finish between Macs Joy, Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace - three of the best two mile hurdlers around at the moment.

It could have gone either way as I thought that Brave Inca had got up on the line to pip Macs Joy.

You can't take anything away from the winner as he had been in front long enough and when the others got to him he pulled out a bit more.

I was very impressed with him.

All that I would say is that the ground was very soft - I spoke to AP McCoy who rode at the meeting - and you would have to bear that in mind as it is likely to be a lot faster at the Cheltenham Festival.

That would probably suit Brave Inca a little bit more.

The winner travelled better than Brave Inca but the stiffer track in March is likely to suit the latter.

I also think that it is highly likely that the blinkers will be back on Hardy Eustace come the Festival.

He looked to run a genuine sort of race but connections obviously think he is better with the headgear on.

There is nothing between the three in my opinion.

It should be a hell of a good race and one to look forward to.

Inglis Drever won the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock on Saturday but I think as far as the big race is concerned he would have absolutely no chance.

He is too slow and looks like he wants further and would be much better off in the World Hurdle.

It was only the very soft ground at Haydock that brought his stamina into play.

He is very much on and off the bridle so I don't think he would have a high enough cruising speed to hold a position in the Champion Hurdle.

I would be surprised it he went for it and if he did he would have very little chance of winning.

Royal Shakespeare was back in fourth and I was disappointed with his run.

At the moment he is not up to Champion Hurdle class and even with the ground being a little bit against him on Saturday, he is going to have to improve significantly.

I rode Baby Run to finish second in the opening Grade Two novice hurdle and I think that the winner Roman Ark is very good and could go all the way to the top.

The big worry is that the going was very soft and it all depends now on what happens once they get back on decent ground.

My horse ran another sound race though and his form behind Marcel has worked out very well but at the moment he is not top class.

He is good enough to run in the big races but needs to improve a little bit, which I hope he will do on better going, to figure in the championship events.

Petite Margot was too slow for the trip at Haydock and is not getting any younger.

Overall, I am disappointed that she did not run better but she is an out-and-out stayer and needs extreme trips to see the best of her.

She has come out of the race fine.

The trip in the Peter Marsh Chase was on the sharp side for Bindaree.

He struggled to go with Lord Transcend and First Gold early in the race and basically just plugged on at the one pace.

He needs a more severe test of stamina and will be trained again for the Grand National at Aintree in April.

I thought Lord Transcend was hugely impressive.

He went a hell of a gallop after he pulled his way to the front early on and established a big lead over the rest of us.

He has got a high cruising speed on that ground but his jumping could improve a little bit.

He has won as he likes and connections have mentioned not going to Cheltenham but the William Hill Chase would be ideal for him.