Review LEOPARDSTOWN 27TH APR

There was a feeling of deja vu after the featured Shell Champion Hurdle where Istabraq fell at the final flight to hand victory to the front-running Moscow Flyer.

Istabraq joined the hard ridden Moscow Flyer in the straight, and looked set to score until taking off half a stride too early at the last.

'He seems fine', said Aidan O'Brien of the 2/7 fav, before adding 'He may be getting idle, and a bit careless'.

'It's a bit unsatisfactory', said winning trainer Jessica Harrrington, who intends going novice chasing with her charge next season.

Sean Graham makes Istabraq 2/1 for a fourth Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next March.

Sackville is as low as 10/1 with the Belfast firm for the 2002 Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup (16's with Cashmans) after an impressive performance in the Captain Christy Novice H'cap Chase.

David Casey's mount led before the last to beat Shannon Gale by 6L, and could turn out again in the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse next weekend.

J P McManus gained some compensation for the defeat of Istabraq when Like-A-Butterfly maintained her unbeaten record in the Champion Bumper.

The Christy Roche-trained mare stayed on under strong driving from J T McNamara to hold Davenport Milenium by 1 1/2L.

Moscow Flyer's partner Barry Geraghty earlier initiated a double aboard Feeling Grand in the 2m1f handicap chase, driven out to beat Empor Star by 1 1/2L.

Noel Meade completed a 1-2 in the 3m handicap chase but it was Church Place, ridden by Ian Power (19), who upset the better fancied Ridgewood Water by 2L.

Camden Venture led after two out under Mark Sullivan to beat Bondi Storm by 12L in the 3m handicap hurdle.

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