MICHAEL SMURFIT'S Fortune And Fame faces what his trainer Dermot Weld calls a strenuous test on Monday morning and providing he satisfies his handler and is perfectly sound that afternoon, he will run in the Smurfit sponsored Champion Hurdle a week next Tuesday, with Richard Dunwoody claimed to ride.
Weld will not run the horse at Cheltenham if he is concerned in the slightest about "his leg". Fortune And Fame has had trouble with his front legs for some years but has bounced back from time to time. He runs well when fresh, as witnessed by his victory in a Bookmakers Hurdle at Leopardstown following an 18 months absence.
His last run was in the Downshire Hurdle at Punchestown in April when he beat Champion Hurdle bound Hotel Minella into third place, eight lengths adrift. He was a 5 to 1 chance for last year's Champion Hurdle, in which he finished a seven lengths fourth behind Alderbrook, Large Action and Danoli. Stable companion Treble Bob remains on target for the Stayers' Hurdle.
Pharstar should win tomorrow's Rockbrook Flat Race at Leopardstown for Dermot Weld. The five year old was made favourite to win on his debut here last month, but faded from the distance to finish third behind Native Darrig. He will be the better for the experience and is likely to appreciate the improved underfoot conditions.
The Stepaside Novice Chase is a virtual match between Sun Alliance Chase challenger Lisellan Prince and Persian Halo. The former, a half brother to stable companion Imperial Call, trounced the Punchestown winner, Percy Brennan, in a two and a half mile chase at Gowran Park, while Persian Halo jumped like a seasoned chaser when making all to win easily on his second outing over fences at Fairyhouse. Tomorrow's two miles and five furlongs might better suit Lisellan Prince.
Edward O'Grady despatches Mucklemeg for the opening Lansdowne Maiden Hurdle. Successful in the Festival bumper two years age, he is likely to return for the Sun Alliance Hurdle if he pleases tomorrow. He should have come on appreciably as a result of his promising run behind Bolino Star and Noble Thyne here last month when he "blew up" early on the run in.
O'Grady's charge Balawhar, top weight for the Brannockstown Handicap Hurdle and possibly due to join stable mates No Where To Run and Time For A Run in the Coral Cup won by the latter in 1994 should win on his second behind Stayers' Hurdle favourite Derrymoyle at Punchestown. This looks a better trip for him.
Street View, who along with stable companion Embellished is engaged in the Triumph Hurdle, would have a decent chance of capturing the Ballsbridge Hurdle if reproducing his Naas win of early January. However, he disappointed behind Talina's Law over this course last time out. Arthur Moore may have the answer in Kilspindie, who ran well here to finish fourth behind Bolino Star and is likely to fare better over this two furlong shorter distance.
The Crazy Bishop may turn the tables on his recent Leopardstown conqueror, Northern Hide, in the Kilternan Handicap Hurdle, but I prefer the latter's stable companion, All The Aces, third behind Second Schedual and The Crazy Bishop at Thurles and possibly now coming back to form.
