Sport

Limestone Lad's return may be matter of Pride

Limestone Lad has been given the go-ahead to make a quick reappearance at Naas on Sunday

Wed Jan 26 2000 - 00:00

Limestone Lad has been given the go-ahead to make a quick reappearance at Naas on Sunday. The jumper has recovered from the near-fore overreach he suffered when fourth to Istabraq in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last weekend.

And James Bowe is now eyeing a clash with Dorans Pride in Sunday's Bank of Ireland Hurdle.

The trainer's wife, Phyllis said yesterday: "Limestone Lad has recovered quickly from the knock and will run on Sunday, unless there is a setback. That is the plan at the moment. He appears to be in good form."

Michael Hourigan confirmed that Naas was the target of smart chaser Dorans Pride, who made a winning return to hurdles after a five-year break at Navan earlier this month.

READ MORE

But the trainer said: "I couldn't tell you whether or not we will keep him hurdling for the remainder of the season. Nothing has been settled."

Also entered for Sunday's race are the Ladbroke Hurdle winner Mantles Prince and Aidan O'Brien's Stayers' Hurdle hope Le Coudray, who was beaten by Limestone Lad at Navan on his latest outing.

Meanwhile, connections are expecting a big run from Red Marauder, who makes his long-awaited return to action at Ayr on Saturday.

Norman Mason's charge, who has been out through injury since winning the First National Bank Gold Cup Chase at Ascot in 1998, is set to take his chance in the Bagpipes Handicap Chase.

Looks Like Trouble has been given the green light to line up in the Pillar Properties Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The eight-year-old's trainer Noel Chance had been considering an alternative engagement the following week in Leopardstown's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

But the Tote Gold Cup hope will now bid to get back on the winning trail at Cheltenham after his flop last time out in the Pertemps King George VI Chase.

William Hill in Britain launch a new offshore telephone betting service today - with its operations base in Athlone.

The company say they have been forced to make the move in response to the lack of reduction in the rate of betting duty in the United Kingdom, and are promising punters reduced deductions from their bets.

The bets will be taken in Athlone and passed on for acceptance to the William Hill International bookmaking company in Antigua. Customers will pay a mandatory deduction of just three per cent to cover administrative charges, rather than the current standard UK rate of nine per cent tax.