IT is a great pleasure to see those two stars of hurdling, Montelado and Danoli, back in action for tomorrow's AIG (Europe) Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. Their respective trainers Pat Flynn and Tom Foley and their vets are to be commended for their perseverance in their long fight to get the horses back to fitness after injury, and one can only hope the duo can do battle in the Champion Hurdle in two months time.

Montelado has not been in action over hurdles in public since contesting the Champion Hurdle 10 months ago, while Danoli has not jumped a hurdle since breaking his off fetlock joint in the process of winning the Martell Aintree Hurdle last April.

It was a great training feat on the part of Pat Flynn to win a flat race with Montelado at Listowel, his first appearance since March, and after that fine performance it was only a matter of how easily he would win the Irish Cesarewitch.

Of course, Montelado is currently a lot fitter than Danoli, whose handler is just hoping he will run well and return safe and sound. That Danoli will need this race badly has been stressed by Foley, who believes he will need at least a couple of runs to bring him to full race fitness.

Montelado will start a firm favourite tomorrow. He is essentially a good ground horse remember he won Cheltenham's Supreme Novice Hurdle by 12 lengths and in record time on fast ground some years ago and further rain will not help his cause. But he is fit. Said Pat Flynn yesterday: "Whether or not the ground is bad he will still run, though he will not like such conditions. He is fully fit and will be doing his best. Although fit in his general well being he is still going to improve and, although this race is very important, Cheltenham has to be his main objective".

It would not surprise me in the least to see Montelado win, but in view of the underfoot conditions and that he has not competed over hurdles for so long, he represents poor value at current odds.

The Jim Old trained Collier Bay would be set to receive weight from both Montelado and Danoli in a handicap, but there is reason to believe this six year old is on the upgrade and he will relish soft ground. He was making his seasonal reappearance and was quite unfancied when drawing seven lengths clear of the 14lb conceding Atours in a handicap hurdle at Sandown earlier this month. He would have contested the Ladbroke Hurdle had that race not come so soon after Sandown, where, incidentally, be won last season's valuable Imperial Cup Hurdle.

As Atours had previously run Large Action, who was receiving 5lb, to a length and a half at Ascot, it can be argued that Collier Bay is only 4lb to 5lb behind Large Action, third and second in the last two Champion hurdles.

Compatriot Absalom's Lady, a good ground mare, did not run to form behind Collier Bay at Sandown, where she all but fell at the fifth and was eventually pulled up. Prior to that she was unplaced at Newcastle but was found to be in season. She finished over five lengths third of three behind stable companion Atours at Wincanton back in November. She was placed sixth and fifth in the last two Champion Hurdles.

Hotel Minella ran below expectations over this course at Christmas, but it was his first race since Punchestown in April. Balawhar likewise, disappointed on his reappearance here at Leopardstown. Both horses will be much the better for the outings.

Destriero ran well for a long way in the Ladbroke and has his chance, and one can fancy Elas Image, an improving filly and ante post favourite for the Triumph Hurdle. Generally, the Irish Champion Hurdle is not a race for novices, but she gets all the allowances and should run a big race. Collier Bay has been supported in recent days and is the choice to beat Montelado and Elas Image.

Blinkers were said to have helped Double Symphony in her unexpected victory over Ventana Canyon here last month but Aidan O'Brien's charge is extremely tough for a small mare and she may be improving. I see no reason why she should not confirm the placings in the Baileys Arkle Cup.

Aidan O'Brien and Charlie Swan can also combine to win the Waterford Crystal Hurdle with the highly regarded Triumph Hurdle bound Magical Lady, and Opera Hat, who jumped so well to win at Naas can follow up in the Tedcastles Oil Handicap Chase.