Alexander out of rescheduled meeting

Racing : Alexander Taipan is the only absentee from the list of original entries in the Ballymore Properties Drinmore Novice…

Racing: Alexander Taipan is the only absentee from the list of original entries in the Ballymore Properties Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on Wednesday.

A field of 10 will now go to post for the Grade One contest over two and a half miles, won 12 months ago by Paul Nolan's Kill Devil Hill.

The race has been rescheduled after Sunday's meeting was abandoned after two races due to bad weather.

Among the leading contenders are Paul Stafford's Blueberry Boy, Michael Hourigan's Mossbank and the Edward O'Grady-trained O'Muircheartaigh.

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Former useful hurdler Vic Venturi, Cailin Alainn, who goes in to the race on a five-timer, and impressive Navan winner King Johns Castle are also set to take their chance.

Anothercoppercoast, Mac Three, Schindlers Hunt and Gazza's Girl complete the field.

Meanwhile, Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition is set for his next racecourse appearance in Sunday's John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase despite trainer Mouse Morris's slight reservations about the ground.

Although he had an off-day when fifth in the Grade One race last year and may not want conditions too testing, Morris is keen to space his races out evenly.

"He's running on Sunday and seems in good form," said the Tipperary-based handler. "I'd be a bit worried about the ground as it is heavy there at the moment, but I want to stick to the plan as it worked last year, and it will be the same for everybody."

The seven-year-old has won twice already at the track this calendar year, beating his old foe Beef Or Salmon in the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup in April, and starting off this campaign with a facile victory in the Star Chase.

However, he suffered a reversal to Beef Or Salmon in an epic James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal last time.

"I think it was just one of those things, and he was not a bother afterwards," said Morris. "He's very fit and will not do much this week — he's ready to rock and roll."