IRISH RACING/News and Previews: Willie Mullins has ruled out a possible switch to the Smurfit Champion Hurdle for Adamant Approach who instead will be targeted at the Arkle Trophy.
Adamant Approach had been an intended runner at Navan tomorrow but his next start is now likely to be the Arkle. "I'm just not 100 per cent happy with him and in the light of the way things have been going in the yard I thought I would leave him alone," Mullins said yesterday.
"He might not run at all before Cheltenham and to be honest I'm not worried. Cheltenham has always been the aim and I was delighted with his jumping the last day. I don't want to jeopardise him getting there," he added.
The Co Carlow trainer also reported that a decision on whether or not Florida Pearl runs at the festival won't be taken until Cheltenham week itself but he had positive news of his festival bumper hope Royal Alphabet.
"He worked on Wednesday and I was delighted with him. He is on course," he said.
In Adamant Approach's absence, the main interest in tomorrow's Sasha Fashions Flyingbolt Novice Chase centres on the first start over fences for Stage Affair.
Dermot Weld's horse has won eight more times since a successful flat debut at Galway in 1996 but the last of them was over three years ago. Mind you he has run only four times in over two years but his showing behind Liss A Paoraigh at Christmas indicated he is far from a back number yet.
Limestone Lad's absence from the Boyne Hurdle has resulted in a small field and one that the top rated Rostropovich could win out in ahead of the former SunAlliance runner-up Over The Bar.
Just four line up for the handicap chase and Commanche Court should score en route to the Gold Cup. The performance of his stable companion Papillon will be informative too in view of the Grand National.
It's a very different story in the divisions of the maiden hurdle where two very interesting contenders line up. Collier County was an expensive purchase out of the Michael Cullen yard by John Magnier on the strength of a 20-length bumper win at Leopardstown over two years ago. The horse hasn't been since but his appearance should be noted in the first division.
In the second, anyone who saw the Christmas debut of Munster behind Hi Cloy will have nothing else in mind. The Cathal Ryan-owned horse was travelling really well when making a howling error at the second last. He looked a sure fire future winner.
