'It's as close as fat old middle-aged men get to playing in the Premier League'

It's just edged past half eight, darkness diluting ever so slowly on a damp December morning, and they're arguing over Abacadabras.

"I suspect he'll always find a way to lose," says Michael O'Leary of the second favourite for the Champion Hurdle.

"He always finds a way to win too," counters brother Eddie, with a wink fired in my direction before adding: "The Champion Hurdle will be made for him. He'll come late. Everyone was saying how unlucky Saint Roi was in the Morgiana but sure we stopped when we hit the front. He'd loads left."