Racing/Irish previews: After the early departure yesterday in the Arkle Trophy Chase of the Paul Nicholls-trained favourite Thisthatandtother, Tom Taaffe could have been excused if he thought that the gods were with him as he bid for a personal first win at Cheltenham.

Was it not the 40th anniversary of Arkle's first Gold Cup triumph in the hands of Pat Taaffe and in such circumstances a victory for his Kicking King, who had been sent off the 7 to 2 second favourite, would have read like a fairytale come true.

With three fences to go he seemed to be struggling but up the stiff final climb he threw down a gutsy challenge that failed by only a length. Against this backdrop a projected St Patrick's Day double at Down Royal may seem poor consolation but in the competitive atmosphere of Irish National Hunt racing, winners are not to be scorned wherever or whenever they are to obtained.

Kew Gardens (3.35) goes for the Tennents Handicap Chase and on his last appearance he was third to The Moyne Machine at Naas. Jordans Lad was a long way back at the post but this can not be seen as a true reflection of his chance for he was looking sure for a placing until he clouted the second last fence with such force that John Cullen lost his irons and was lucky to stay in the saddle.

The banker of the Taaffe pair is Arusureitsbroken (5.45) for the Bass Ireland bumper. On his only outing to date he made a good run over the final half mile and was only beaten a head for third place by the odds-on favourite According To Billy. First and second places went to Sweet Kiln and Ulaan Baatar and both of these have won this month.

Claiming his maiden allowance Mr Murphy (2.20) can open his account in the curtain raiser. Indeed, but for the intervention of the hotpot Deanery Nellie, Mr Murphy would have been a wide-margin winner of the Eventing Ireland Maiden Hurdle at Navan while his earlier bumper placings include a three-and-a-half-length second to Blazing Liss.

The richest prize of the day is a Memorial Novice Chase at Limerick (3.45) which commemorates the late Hugh McMahon who played such a significant role in the planning of the new racecourse. In the circumstances it could have fared better in the matters of runners but Hi Cloy and Lord Who both have the sort of form that does justice to the man himself. Michael Hourigan's exercise of the 7lb claim on Hi Cloy should copper fasten his claims to favouritism on the back of a very comfortable Leopardstown win.