With just 12 days to the start of the Cheltenham festival, Ruby Walsh is an eye-catching booking in the Beginners' Chase at Limerick today but the champion jockey could end up having to settle for a minor place behind Preists Leap.
Walsh was on board For A Song on his last start when runner-up to Mercuric at Thurles so the top rider is obviously confident in his mount's jumping especially so close to the biggest festival of the year.
But running Khetaam to a head at Gowran on his last start looks a better piece of form by Preists Leap who can score for Newmill's former trainer Tom O'Leary.
Walsh will be on An Fear Doiteain for the first time in the six-year-old's career in the third maiden hurdle on the card and the combination look good.
Willie Mullins's horse was a point-to-point winner last year and put in a nice effort on his last start when fourth to Heron's Flight at Punchestown.
Donie Hasset saddled a wide-margin winner at Naas on Sunday and the local trainer could again be the man to follow in the handicap hurdle with Best All Stars who should relish the two and three quarter mile trip.
