Leopardstown's Ericsson Chase is shaping into a Championship event in its own right with the news that See More Business may yet line up against Florida Pearl and Suny Bay.

The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding won at Chepstow on Saturday, and although Nicholls emphasises that the King George VI Chase is See More Business's principal target, he added: "We will go to Kempton if the ground is safe but we will have to consider the Ericsson strongly if Kempton comes up good to firm or frosty."

Imperial Call and Dorans Pride, who clashed on Sunday, have both emerged unscathed, although their participation in the Ericsson is not certain.

Imperial Call's trainer Raymond Hurley reported yesterday: "The horse is fine and back to himself. He took the race well but it will be a few days before we decide about his next race."

Looking ahead to the 1999 flat season, Aidan O'Brien has described the Prix Morny winner, Orpen, and the Curragh maiden winner, Black Rock Desert, as "Guineas prospects".

O'Brien's contribution to the Irish Racing Annual also describes Orpen as "highly talented", while Stravinsky is regarded as "very classy and one we are really looking forward to training next year".

O'Brien nominated Saffron Waldon as a dark horse for 1999 and also was hopeful about the fillies, Sunspangled and Crystal Downs.