RACING: Barry Geraghty has picked up the coveted ride on Limestone Lad in Sunday's Hattons Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse. Limestone Lad's regular rider, Paul Carberry, has been claimed to ride Scottish Memories in the race for his retaining trainer Noel Meade.

But Michael Bowe, son of permit holder James Bowe, wasted little time finding a replacement and said yesterday that Geraghty takes over on the star stayer.

"Paul Carberry has his own commitments and everyone understands that. But we are very happy to get Barry," Bowe said. "He rode Limestone Lad before, about three seasons ago when he was having his first start of the season at Navan. I wasn't as wise in the ways of getting the horse fit then as I am now, so he was a bit big and stuffy, but Barry rode him well.

"The main thing is that the horse is so well. In fact I've never seen him look better. There's a glisten on his skin and he's out there bucking and squealing.

"I've never seen him in such order, regardless of age. It's like he is caught in a time warp and doesn't seem to feel age."

Geraghty was on the mark in last weekend's highlight, the Thomas Pink Gold Cup at Cheltenham, on Cyfor Malta, but no decision on future jockey plans for Limestone Lad will be taken until after this weekend.

A maximum of six will run in the Hattons Grace, with Ballyhampshire Boy having been left in the race in error and Davenport Milenium more likely to wait for a race in Britain.

Willie Mullins said yesterday that Kempton's Christmas Hurdle is a possible target for Davenport Milenium, yet to start this season.

"He will be taken out of the Hattons Grace because of all the rain we have had. There are other options, but I haven't decided where he will go yet," he said.

Another Grade One contest on Sunday is the Drinmore Chase where Le Coudray will bid to follow up his Naas success last Saturday. "The Drinmore is the plan. He has come out of his race on Saturday really well," trainer Christy Roche said yesterday.

Paul Carberry may have to give up the Limestone Lad ride on Sunday, but 24 hours before that is the Hennessy at Newbury and the jockey looks like he is on the punters' choice in that.

The Drinmore and PJ Moriarty winner Harbour Pilot is as low as 7 to 1 for his first handicap start, having been as high as 14 to 1 earlier in the week.

Harbour Pilot is fighting history, however, as Arkle and Bright Highway remain the only Irish-trained winners of the prestigious early-season event.