BOTH on the field and off, there's expected to be an impressive turnout at Leopardstown tomorrow afternoon for the AIG Europe Irish Champion Hurdle. The £50,000 race has particular interest because, it marks the return of Ireland's two pleading hurdlers, Montelado and Danoli. The former, trained by Pat Flynn, was last seen winning the Irish Cesarewitch two mile flat race at the Curragh last October, while Danoli trained by Tom Foley hasn't appeared since injuring himself when winning the Martell Aintree hurdle back in April.
As a result of this double resurgence, there has been a lot of interest both at home and abroad, particularly since other entries include such English possibilities as Absaloms Lady and Collier Bay, together with Irish hurdlers Hotel Minella and Balawhar. AIG's managing director for the past five years, Sean Hehir, and his wife Jennifer will be entertaining a large party for lunch at the course tomorrow. Among those expected is the company's senior vice president Martin Sullivan who together with his wife Coral, is flying in just for the day. Anyone possessed with a long memory will be able to recall Mr Sullivan from his days in this country in the early 1980s; one of the high flyers of the financial services world, he joined AIG at the age of 17 and has risen to his present position while still in his early 40s. No wonder, then, that on this occasion, he can only spare a few hours at Leopardstown before leaving the country after the race.
Before then, Mr Sullivan should have a chance to meet Taoiseach John Bruton and his wife Finola at AIG's lunch. Not exactly renowned for his regular attendance at race meetings, Mr Bruton has offered to make the presentation to the winner of the champion hurdle. Also expected among the sponsor's 300 plus guests are the Minister for Justice Nora Owen, and her husband Brian, Garda Commissioner Paddy Culligan and his wife Carmel, Minister for Defence and Marine Sean Barrett and US ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith.