Racing:Dusty Sheehy is hoping veteran Rathgar Beau will give a good account of himself when he takes on 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition in the Thurles Chase tomorrow.
The 12-year-old, a Grade One winner at the 2005 Punchestown Festival, returned from almost two years off the track with a close-up third at Listowel on his penultimate start.
He failed to sparkle when pulled up in the Munster National at Limerick last time but Sheehy believes he is in much better condition now and is hopeful he can at least pick up some prize money.
"Rathgar Beau is in great form and I blame myself a little bit for his last run as he was flat going into the race and he never jumped," said Sheehy.
"The race maybe came a little bit too soon after his comeback but we have used him to help school Trafford Lad over fences and we had just done a bit too much with him.
"He has had a nice break since then and is very, very well so there won't be any excuses on that score.
"War Of Attrition is the one everyone has to beat obviously, but if we can get some place money behind him we'd be happy enough."
One horse who will not be lining up is 2005 Gold Cup hero Kicking King, with connections opting to wait for the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 22.
Trainer Tom Taaffe said: "We are going to wait for the Betfair Chase with him now.
"We have decided the Haydock race would suit him much better with the prize money on offer and the race that it would be, as opposed to be running for the prize money at Thurles and taking on War Of Attrition.
"He's been perfect since Punchestown and we're very happy with him."