It might seem strange to be talking Cheltenham about a horse with no jumping experience but there has already been a sizeable gamble on Loyal Focus living up to his illustrious family tree.
The Dermot Weld-trained horse runs in the €16,000 opener at Fairyhouse today and the 320,000 gns paid for him last October will seem very expensive indeed if he cannot make a winning hurdling debut.
As a half brother to Weld's 1990 Triumph Hurdle winner Rare Holiday, Loyal Focus was always going to be an attraction at Newmarket's Horses In Training Sale, especially since he was a winner on the flat at the Listowel festival.
Nevertheless the purchase price was a sale record and it means there will be quite a lot of expectation surrounding the ex-Moyglare horse who now races in the colours of Belfast-based Robert Sinclair.
"The ground at Fairyhouse is soft to heavy and he will be very much a better horse on better going. Having said that he knows his job and he jumps well. But he will show dramatic improvement when the ground is better," Weld said yesterday.
"He is a half brother to a Triumph winner and if we are to seriously think about the Triumph for this one then it is about time for him to run. On good ground I think he is a horse for the Triumph but we will know more after the weekend," he added.
The Naas winner Majlis had his form boosted by Dalton success at Gowran last week and he looks a serious piece of trial tackle for Loyal Focus to be getting on with.
Almost all of Weld's small but select jumps team are out this weekend with the exception of the smart mare Queen Astrid. However, the champion flat trainer does have a mare worth examining today as Kinger Rocks takes on a couple of winners in the bumper.
Kinger Rocks found only Finger Onthe Pulse too good on her Leopardstown debut but that was a fair performance considering the winner is exceptionally highly regarded by his connections. With the experience under her belt she should make her presence felt.
High Priestess has proved to be expensive to follow so far this winter but she does look to have another first-rate opportunity to break her jumping duck in today's maiden hurdle.
With Ruby Walsh riding in Cheltenham, the amateur Denis Cullen comes in for the ride and this contest doesn't look as tough as the one last weekend when High Priestess, who also raced only four days prior to that, was fifth to Sathoa.
Pat Fahy has his horses in flying form at present and he takes Bluestone Lad back to his favourite course and distance this afternoon for the two and a half mile handicap hurdle.
Bluestone Lad had only half a length to spare over Danse Macabre here a fortnight ago and needed a power packed ride from Ruby Walsh to do so. He is 6lb higher in the ratings now but at this track he remains one to reckon with.
