RACING: Ned Kelly has been installed as an 11 to 4 favourite for Sunday's AIG Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown but the odds are shortening on him taking on his old bogey Limestone Lad in the race.
Limestone Lad's original January target was intended to be Saturday's Bank Of Ireland Hurdle at Naas but the wet weather forecast for the rest of week is threatening a change of plan.
The top stayer ran fourth of six to Istabraq in the AIG two years ago and Michael Bowe, son of the permit holder James Bowe, admitted yesterday: "I would love to have a proper crack at the race." Bowe said: "Last week I would have said it was 70-30 against him going to Leopardstown but the way the weather is now I would say it is back to 50-50. If it stays like this I could see it swinging 60-40 in favour of Leopardstown.
"As far as I know it will be wet for the rest of the week and that is good for me. I don't have to decide for a few days but we might just let him take his chance at Leopardstown.
"He ran in it two years ago on soft ground but things didn't go right for him and I would love to have a proper crack at the race."
Limestone Lad picked up an over reach after being beaten by Bannow Bay over Christmas but Bowe reports the horse in "tremendous order" and could work him on the Curragh tomorrow as he struggles to decide on a weekend target.
The going on the hurdles track at Leopardstown is currently yielding but conditions are expected to be a lot more testing by Sunday.
Leopardstown's racing manager Tom Burke reported: "The forecast is very unsettled with quite a substantial amount of rain expected. It is too early to predict what the ground might be but some rain is expected every day between now and Sunday."
Despite Limestone Lad having beaten Ned Kelly twice this season the John Magnier-owned horse was installed as Paddy Power's 11 to 4 favourite when the 12 horses left in the race were confirmed yesterday.
Next best is the Nicky Henderson-trained Geos, one of four British-trained horses left in, while Liss A Paoraigh is 4 to 1 and Limestone Lad is a 9 to 2 shot.
There are ground concerns regarding Hors La Loi's participation but The French Furze is a likely cross-channel runner alongside Geos.
As expected Istabraq was taken out of the AIG at yesterday's stage but the drift in his Champion Hurdle odds seem to have been arrested with Powers cutting his Cheltenham price to 7 to 4.
Moscow Flyer dominates the entries for the Baileys Arkle Cup on Sunday with Ferdy Murphy's Truckers Tavern an unlikely traveller from Britain.
Paddy Power bet: 11/4 Ned Kelly, 7/2 Geos, 4 Liss A Paoraigh, 9/2 Limestone Lad, 10 The French Furze and Milligan, 12 Hors La Loi, 16 Bob Justice, 20 Bar.
