DUNDEE ON COURSE FOR ERICSSON

A mouth-watering clash between Native Upmanship and Nick Dundee in the Ericsson Chase looks on the cards after Edward O`Grady gave his stablestar the green light for the Leopardstown event.

O`Grady, speaking yesterday afternoon at Thurles racecourse after saddling Winter Whisper to take division two of the maiden hudle, reports Sue Magnier`s gelding `in great form` after his comeback win at Navan last weekend. `Nick Dundee came out of the Navan race well, and it is a great relief to have that over. The Ericsson is a big step up in class and, while I don`t expect him to win, it should put him ready for the Hennessy Gold Cup,` said O`Grady. Mrs Magnier also owns Native Upmanship, who gained a narrow defeat over Florida Pearl last time in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown.

Winter Whisper took a walk in the market (6/4 to 100/30) but was produced full of runnning by Norman Williamson in the straight, sprinting clear before the last and eased right down to beat Keller by two lengths. `He won a point-to-point, and should make a nice chaser in time,` said O`Grady.

Slaney Native justified odds-on support in the featured Horse And Jockey Hotel Hurdle, making most under Barry Geraghty to beat Lawz by a length. The reigning champion jockey `decided to go on and make sure of a decent gallop` according to winning trainer Jessica Harrington`s husband Johnny.

Mrs Harrington missed the victory due to a bout of flu but later reported by phone that the gelding may head next for a conditions chase at Tramore on New Years Day. `He will be kept to conditions hurdles and chases as his handicap mark over fences is too high,` she said.

Championship leader Ruby Walsh moved onto the 51 winner mark for the season when Expat caused a shock in division one of the Killough INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle. Bunratty Castle (2/1-11/10f) was all the rage here to make a winning debut, and the Tony Mullins-trained gelding looked set to justify the support when travelling sweetly in front under Charlie Swan entering the straight.

However Expat soon loomed up on his outside, and struck the front before the last to win going away by five and a half lengths. `I thought he may need the run again today,` said a surprised Andrew McNamara afterwards. The Limerick trainer added: `He wants better ground, and should make a nice horse in the spring. I`ll now put him in a handicap, and he will go chasing next year.`

Andy Slattery and his brother Willie teamed up to take the Molony Cup Handicap Chase with Hennessy Feeds. The seven-year-old was only fifth jumping the last but finished to great effect, quickening past Forrest Tribe to score by four lengths. The runner-up spoiled his chance by jumping markedly to the right at the final two fences. The Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park next month could be on the agenda for the winner, providing he gets into the handicap proper.

Favourite backers got it right in the Horse & Jockey Novice Handicap Hurdle where Crimson Tirol led before the last under Charlie Swan to beat Rockspring Hero by a length. `He may go next for a handicap at Leopardstown on either the final day of the Christmas meeting or at the Pierse Hurdle meeting (January 14),` said winning trainer Dick Donohoe.

Kilbyrne King just held the renewed challenge of Jamica Plane in the Gift Horse Gallery Horse & Jockey Hotel Handicap Chase, while County Captain showed great reserves of stamina when striking the front on the extended run-in (the final flight was omitted) to take the Moycarkey Handicap Hurdle.

Klohho benefitted from a strong drive by Alan Fleming to head Knights Of Kerry close home in the bumper.