LEOPARDSTOWN:Paul Carberry will partner 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown tomorrow after Davy Russell was stood down by medical staff this afternoon.
Russell has partnered Mouse Morris's nine-year-old on his three outings since the retirement of Conor O'Dwyer but was suffering from dehydration today and forced to pull out.
"Unfortunately Davy has been stood down for 48 hours but thankfully we have got a good substitute in Paul," Morris said.
Carberry twice won the race on Beef Or Salmon, including when the pair memorably beat Best Mate in the 2004 renewal.
War Of Attrition faces eight rivals in the highlight of Leopardstown's Christmas meeting, and is a general 9-2 chance to claim his first Grade One success since returning from injury.
Tom Taaffe reports Glenfinn Captain to be in fine form as he bids to continue his fantastic start to the season.
The nine-year-old failed to register a single success during the last campaign but seems to making up for lost time now, winning both of his starts this season.
He was an impressive winner of the Clonmel Oil Chase last month but Taaffe admits he will have to improve again.
"It's all been very positive what he has done so far this season but this is a big step up," said the County Kildare handler.
"We just want to see if he is ready to take that step and it is a competitive race. The ground seems to be drying up and I would say it will be nearly yielding by the time we get to race time. That will suit him."
Taaffe also runs Cane Brake and Grand National runner-up Slim Pickings, and he is expecting both horses to give good accounts.
"I'm not sure whether we will go the National route with Slim Pickings again so we will just have to see but he is in good shape," Taaffe continued.
"He was running a good race in the Hennessy last time before he made a bad mistake four out so he goes into this with a fighting chance.
"Cane Brake has missed a lot of action with injury but he is back fit and well now. Things did not go right for him at Punchestown last time but he seems to be working well and he could run a nice race."
Nick Mitchell is confident of a bold show from 2006 winner The Listener - although he is slightly concerned about the drying ground.
"The horse is in the form of his life and we are going there very hopeful," said the trainer.
"I just wonder whether the ground will be soft enough to give him a winning chance. I think he will run a blinder whatever but the ground is a little bit drier than it was when we arrived on Christmas Eve.
"He felt great when he was second at Punchestown last time and he seems to have held on to that form. This is his time of year so we are just keeping our fingers crossed now."