THERE are a few with better Champion Hurdle claims than Jason The Militant, but that he is a legitimate challenger I have few doubts.

His win in the Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday came under a significant penalty and by clear-cut margins from 156-rated Petit Mouchoir and 135-rated Darasso. Even more to the point, it came in the fastest time of three hurdles at two miles by getting on for a furlong.