The prospects of a mouth-watering clash between Youlneverwalkalone and Monsignor, the top novices in Ireland and Britain, in Cheltenham's Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle appear to have increased.
Paddy Power bookmakers quote Youlneverwalkalone at 9 to 4 for the shorter Supreme Novices' Hurdle but have introduced Christy Roche's unbeaten young star at 5 to 2 for the SunAlliance behind the 11 to 10 favourite Monsigor.
Roche was quoted yesterday morning as saying that "I have to discuss it with the owner but I would say at this stage the SunAlliance would be favourite. He's a half brother to Galmoy and comes from a good staying family."
However, the Curragh trainer later attempted to dilute the impact of that statement, insisting that no final decision will be taken until much nearer March 15th.
"It's far from the case that we have decided and we're just in a lucky position to have such a good horse. JP (McManus) believes the two mile race might be the weaker contest but I'm quite happy to run him over a trip. I think it would be to his advantage but we're unlikely to decide for a while," Roche said.
In other news, the SunAlliance Chase prospect Alexander Banquet is unlikely to have a final warm-up race this weekend. Willie Mullins's horse has entries at Gowran Park and Navan.
Mullins's Ulster Harp Derby winner, General Cloney, is on course to make his hurdling debut at Gowran Park on Saturday, however. Mullins said yesterday: "If he runs well the Triumph Hurdle could be an option."
Another horse who will sidestep a clash with Danoli and His Song in the Red Mills Trial Chase is the Gold Cup entry Sydney Twothousand but his stable companion, Nomadic, is set to run against Theatreworld in the Trial Hurdle.
A spokesperson for trainer Noel Meade said yesterday: "It's been a nightmare keeping Nomadic right this year but he seems fine now and we'll decide about Cheltenham after Saturday."
Meade's Triumph Hurdle hope Fable will not take up an engagement in a conditions race at Navan on Sunday.
Another high profile runner that will miss this weekend's action is the Grand National winner Bobbyjo. Entered for both the Red Mills and the Nobber Chase at Navan, Bobbyjo will miss both and wait instead for a schooling hurdle at Fairyhouse tomorrow.
Charlie Swan's three-horse raid at Musselburgh yesterday ended without a victory for the trainer-jockey. However, all three horses managed to take some prize-money back to his Co Tipperary yard.
Hot Bunny, Swan's runner in the opening Tom Mcconnell Memorial Juvenile Novices' Hurdle, finished a six-length runner-up to 1 to 5 favourite Pertino, trained by Malcolm Jefferson and ridden by Graham Lee. This Is Serious filled the same position in the JR McNair Novices' Handicap Hurdle, beaten a head by 33 to 1 chance Setting Sun, a first winner of the season for permit-holder Norman Waggott.
And Heroic finished third behind 1 to 2 favourite Wintertide and Heracles in the concluding Weatherbys Stars Of Tomorrow Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
However, there was one success for an Irish raider when the Sue Bramall-trained Heritage landed the Anderson Strathern Challenge Trophy (Novices' Handicap Chase). The six-year-old, ridden by John Cullen, pulled clear from two out to defeat J J Baboo by five lengths.
Michael Kinane picked up a ban for careless riding in Hong Kong yesterday after finishing eighth on the David Oughton-trained Strategic Move in a mile handicap at Happy Valley. His ban starts immediately and lasts until March 2nd.
