Berry warns Saint Roi must step up as Champion contender sets sights on Morgiana

Saint Roi has already been catapulted into second favourite for the Unibet Champion Hurdle but JP McManus's racing manager Frank Berry has warned that Sunday's Morgiana Hurdle will be a "different ball game" for the hugely exciting talent, facing a significant test as he steps into Grade 1 company for the first time.

The brilliant County Hurdle winner breezed to success when handed a good opportunity in the Grade 3 Horse & Jockey Hotel Hurdle at Tipperary last month, and is priced up at 10-11 with Paddy Power to provide Willie Mullins with a tenth consecutive win in the Morgiana.

Six of the original dozen entered in the €100,000 event stood their ground on Tuesday, with Saint Roi on track to be joined by last year's winner Saldier, Abacadabras, Supasundae, Coeur Sublime and Jason The Militant.