It's round two of the season between Istabraq and Limestone Lad in tomorrow's AIG Europe Champion Hurdle and this time Istabraq looks set to come out swinging.
Round one has almost reached the level of folklore, such has been the fall out from Limestone Lad's five-and-a-half length defeat of Istabraq over two and a half miles at Fairyhouse in late November. The boxing theme of that day was subsequently too tempting for most scribbling onlookers to resist. In one corner was the Goliath of the JP McManus-Aidan O'Brien team, with possibly the finest champion hurdler of the decade, and in the other was the family-owned, bred and trained David whose try and catch me style of racing seems to have grabbed at least part of the public imagination.
Unfortunately for the sentimentalists, much of the remaining imagination in racing centres on betting and from the punting point of view it is impossible not to side with Istabraq this time.
Limestone Lad is indeed hugely improved and his current standing as one of the best hurdlers in these islands is undisputed. However, he is now coming up against Istabraq over the champion's best trip and at his time of the year.
Istabraq is aiming for three in a row in this race, and with an effective Christmas pipe-opener under his belt, Aidan O'Brien feels his horse is now starting to peak.
'You have to respect Limestone Lad and what he has done, but our horse is trained with the spring in mind and it will be interesting to see how much he will have come on,' O'Brien said yesterday.
The Ballydoyle trainer, who also runs Theatreworld and Yeoman's Point, added: 'We have done no more work with him on the run up to this race than we have in the last two years but he did have a nice blow the last day.
'The plan in Fairyhouse was to stay as close as possible to Limestone Lad and I'd say it will be the same on Sunday, but all that is up to Charlie (Swan.)'
The officially forecast going is 'yielding', which also is in Istabraq's favour, and Limestone Lad missed an intended start at Navan earlier this month which was deemed important to keep him at a peak. It's hard to see any of the four others taking a potential winning hand, although a patiently-ridden Stage Affair could be a contender for a forecast place. However, Istabraq is impossible to oppose on this occasion.
The other Graded event on the card is the Baileys Arkle Cup where Alexander Banquet bids to get his season back on track after a Christmas disappointment behind Native Upmanship.
It's hard not to come to the conclusion, however, that two miles on decent ground may just be on the short side for the horse and after his sparkling debut over fences at Punchestown, preference is for Frozen Groom, especially with the weight concession from the others.
The Waterford Crystal Novice Hurdle looks a good opportunity for Istabraq's rider Charlie Swan to double up with Kirmar. Third to Champagne Native and No Discount on his last start at Naas three weeks ago, Kirmar had that effort advertised by No Discount subsequently trotting up and the overall look of that Naas field makes it look a very decent contest. The point can be emphasised again here and in the process help those chasing part of the £29,428 Jackpot carryover.
Aidan O'Brien's Cheltenham bumper prospect Kilcash Castle has his first race since Listowel in the Fairhaven Race but slight preference is for the course winner, It Takes Time; while Gentle Mossy should at least go close in the opener.
