Limestone Lad made it seven victories from 10 starts this season at Naas yesterday, but his trainer is worried that the Stayers' Hurdle candidate will not be kept busy enough until his next race in three weeks' time.
Michael Bowe, son of the permit holder James, admitted yesterday's success from Dorans Pride in the Bank Of Ireland Hurdle was a relief, but added: "I keep saying this horse needs a race every week but the biggest problem now is there is no race for him until the Boyne Hurdle at Navan. He'll have the life of Reilly and I'll lose the weight!"
Limestone Lad certainly didn't have to take much out of himself to beat Dorans Pride and Derrymoyle.
Noticeably more relaxed than he was at Leopardstown the previous weekend, Limestone Lad didn't stretch clear from the start and Dorans Pride was level with him at the second last. Once over, however, the 2 to 7 favourite stretched clear and remains as low as 4 to 1 for Cheltenham.
"The Stayers' is the target - if the ground is right. If it's good or faster he won't run," said Bowe. "I don't like making excuses but he wasn't himself at Leopardstown. He enjoyed himself there, though."
Tommy Treacy took the riding honours with a double on the SunAlliance Chase hope, Saxophone, in the Woodlands Chase and the topweight, Gentle Mossy, in the handicap hurdle. However it was a more mixed bag for the title aspirant Paul Carberry.
He missed the winning ride on Sausalito Bay in the novice hurdle because he arrived late at the track. Carberry subsequently told the stewards he had mistakenly put diesel into his car on his way to Naas and was left stranded.
He was reminded of his responsibilities to fulfil his riding engagements but needed no such reminders when filling in for the injured Adrian Maguire on Fandango De Chassy in the handicap chase.
Tony Martin's favourite didn't jump particularly well but still had too much for Call Me Dara and is a 10 to 1 chance for the four-mile amateur race at Cheltenham.
Jason Titley replaced Carberry on Sausalito Bay and hit the 39 mark for the season after Noel Meade's horse successfully gave 24lb to French Style. With the winner's owners also having the SunAlliance Hurdle candidate, Oa Baldixe, Sausalito Bay will be aimed at the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
"He's a good, tough horse and it will take a good one to pass him. That wasn't a bad performance, giving two stone to the second and he'll be better getting a tow instead of leading," said Meade.
Saxophone remains 20 to 1 for Cheltenham after a less than fluent jumping display against It's Time For A Win. However, Jim Dreaper attributed the mistakes to being forced to make the pace and will now run Saxophone in the Moriarty Chase next Sunday. "We'll find out what level we are at in Leopardstown," Dreaper said.
Willie Mullins, already successful three times in the Cheltenham Bumper, could make a strong challenge again this year. Tuesday is an intended runner and Ballyamber is now a 14 to 1 shot after easily winning yesterday.
"I think an awful lot of this horse and, if the owners are happy, I'd be happy to go to Cheltenham. I think it's worth a shot," said Mullins.
