DORANS PRIDE'S owner and trainer have yet to confirm him as a definite runner in next month's Cheltenham Gold Cup, but they will come under pressure to do so if the eight year old maintains his unbeaten run over fences in the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles this afternoon.

Of course, they may possibly decide to wait another year and instead concentrate on Aintree, Fairyhouse and Punchestown, where there are valuable prizes to be picked up without encountering such top class performers as Imperial Call and Danoli. But if rumours of a bet by the owner at 40 to 1 are accurate, the Gold Cup is the likely target.

Those seasoned performers Merry Gale and Royal Mountbrowne will today give Dorans Pride his first taste of jumping against other than novices. However, if his superb displays in his chases to date are any guide, it is a challenge he will meet successfully.

The race could also provide us with at least a clue to the relative merits of Dorans Pride and Imperial Call, for both Merry Gale and Royal Mountbrowne took on Imperial Call on his seasonal reappearance at Punchestown in December.

Imperial Call had just shaken off the attentions of Merry Gale two out and was in command until that costly last fence fall left the way clear for Royal Mountbrowne to pass a tiring Merry Gale to take the prize.

Merry Gale made much of the running on that occasion and it will be interesting to see if Shane Broderick decides to take him on from the start on Dorans Pride. If he does, those lucky enough to be at Thurles this afternoon could be in for a real treat, with Dorans Pride, one hopes, confirming that he has the makings of a future champion.

Kings Return never held out much hope of completing his hattrick at Fairyhouse when his stable companion Yelapa Prince also failed to run up to expectations. Both reappear in the INH. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle and while at their best they would be involved in the finish, the choice is Toni's Tip, runner up to Glebe Lad at Punchestown when conceding 6lb.

A faller at the last fence twice and brought down in his last three chases, Creative Blaze is due a change of fortune. She might have" beaten Shining Willow at Punchestown and if she has regained her confidence, might be good enough to beat Coolafinka in the Tattersalls Ireland EBF Mares Novice Chase.

Having run well against older opposition over two and a half miles, Go Sasha could be answer in the Golden Hurdle. He was two lengths off Miss Pennyhill when the were first and second at Tralee and on 7lb better terms has a real chance of coming out on top this time.

Beau Cyrano, a close up third to Monica's Choice at Tramore, will again be partnered by a claimer in the Littleton Handicap Hurdle and is taken to beat Ballyrihy Boy.