Paul Carberry returns from injury and straight on to the Limestone Lad hot-seat in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan today. Carberry takes over from Shane McGovern on the popular stayer who clashes with the former Irish National-winner Commanche Court, the veteran Dorans Pride and the high-class Liss A Paoraigh in the Grade Two race.
It's nine days since Carberry sprained an ankle at Thurles but this latest high-profile ride emphasises the jockey's splendid start to the season. He is already 15 winners ahead of his nearest rival Barry Geraghty.
Limestone Lad has had a run on the flat already, third to Glens Music over two miles, to get him ready for this and the nine-year-old's trainer, Michael Bowe, believes it is time for Carberry to come on board.
"A change can do a horse good and at this stage of the horse's career we think a change might be a good idea," Bowe said. "Limestone Lad has come on a lot for the race and has been to Tom Foley's gallop to work there a few times."
At this stage last year, Limestone Lad was winning the Irish Field Chase over fences and the Bowe family have not ruled out a return to the bigger obstacles later in the season. However, Limestone Lad, hurdles and Carberry look a winning combination today.
Carberry should also score on Micko's Dream who can make the most of a seasonal pipe-opener to beat last year's winner Native Upmanship in the Fortria Chase.
The other graded race on the card, the For Auction Novice Hurdle, looks good for Golden Row whose winning streak already sees him quoted as Cashmans 9 to 1 favorite for the Supreme Novices Hurdle in March.
Carberry has discarded Woodenbridge Natif in favour of Eternal Night in the Beginners Chase. This looks a hot race with the four-year-old Golden Storm getting a substantial amount of weight.
However, a reasonable alternative may be the former smart hurdler Hobart Frisbey who has had a couple of starts this season on the flat to get him ready for a chasing debut that could promise much.
Sheer Frustration's run behind Yeoman's Point at Gowran should have put her right for the fillies hurdle while Liss Rua looks good for the last.
Kevin Darley cut Kieren Fallon's lead in the British jockey's championship race into single figures and has not given up hopes of retaining his title after completing a double at Newmarket yesterday.
Darley won on Bollin Nellie and Give Notice to take his score for the Turf season to 152, nine adrift of Fallon - and it could have been even better as he rode two seconds, one beaten only a short head.
