The Christy Roche-trained Youlneverwalkalone shares favouritism with Jessia Harrington's Moscow Flyer for the Ballymore Properties Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday, following strong support for Moscow Flyer with Cork bookmakers Cashmans yesterday.
They were among 10 horses left in the Grade One contest at yesterday's forfeit stage. However, that number will be reduced by at least one as 240,000-guinea purchase Mister Banjo, a faller in France last time, will not be travelling to Ireland.
His trainer, Paul Nicholls, said yesterday: "He definitely doesn't run on Sunday, he goes to Cheltenham on December 9th for the Lonesome Glory Hurdle."
The other British possible for the race is the David Evanstrained Master Beveled.
Other potential runners include Irish Grand National hero Commanche Court, Dorans Pride, who landed his fourth consecutive Morris Oil Chase at Clonmel on Sunday, and Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Sausalito Bay.
Limestone Lad, who inflicted a rare defeat on Istabraq in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle last year, is one of seven possibles for the Grade One Pierse Drinmore Novices' Chase on the same card.
His main rival may be Arctic Copper, an impressive winner from Sackville at Gowran Park in October.
The day's other Grade One event is the Boyle Bookmakers Royal Bond Novices' Hurdle which could see a clash between Weatherbys Champion Bumper winner Joe Cullen, Quadco, who captured the Martell Champion Bumper at Aintree, and the highly-rated Ned Kelly.
Meanwhile, exciting novice chase prospect Blue Royal has sustained a leg injury and is set to miss the rest of the season.
The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old, third behind Istabraq in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle last season, had been expected to be a leading contender for the Arkle Challenge Trophy this March.
HATTON'S GRACE HURDLE: Cashmans - 2-1 Youlneverwalkalone and Moscow Flyer, 5-1 Mister Banjo, Sausalito Bay, 12-1 Dorans Pride, 14-1 bar.
Valiramix was yesterday made 3 to 1 favourite by the sponsors for the £55,000 William Hill Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.
The French-bred four-year-old, an 11-length winner at Newbury last Friday, is one of four Martin Pipe-trained entries in the valuable handicap along with L'Epicurien, Murray River and Seebald.
Cashmans make Tiutchev 5 to 2 favourite for Sandown's Tingle Creek Chase on Saturday, but connections warned yesterday that the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding might not make the line-up if regular partner Mick Fitzgerald, currently sidelined by injury, is not available to ride.
Brahms, formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien, was promoted to first place in Sunday's Grade One Hollywood Derby (9f), following the disqualification of the ironically named outsider Designed For Luck.
