RACING: The drying conditions at Cheltenham continue to provide headaches for Irish trainers, none more so than Arthur Moore in relation to the Champion Chase hopeful Native Upmanship. Last year's Queen Mother runner-up remains on target for another crack at the two-mile crown but could miss the race if the conditions turn too fast.
The Cheltenham authorities started watering the track on Tuesday to ease the state of the going which was officially good with good to firm patches. However, putting 12mms of water on the track didn't stop Christy Roche expressing grave concerns about running the Champion Hurdle hopeful Like-A-Butterfly and Moore is the latest to voice worry.
"I would have reservations about running Native Upmanship if firm appeared in the wording, that's probably the best way to put it. There is a possibility we would take him out and wait for Liverpool," he said yesterday.
Last season Native Upmanship followed up his Champion Chase second to Flagship Uberalles with a victory in the Martell Melling Chase at Aintree over two and a half miles.
The Naas trainer hopes to take a similar team to the festival that he travelled 12 months ago, a trip that yielded a Grand Annual Chase success for Fadoudal Du Cochet. That horse will try to double up in the Grand Annual while the County Hurdle runner-up The Gatherer will also return in company with the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final contender Farinel. "The only one I wouldn't consider running is Native Upmanship if the going turned fast," added Moore whose festival total of six winners began with the 1981 Champion Chase winner Drumgora.
One man unconcerned about the state of the ground is Limestone Lad's trainer Michael Bowe who was philosophical yesterday about the absence of the SunAlliance hope Solerina form the festival. "I suppose we had a trouble free run with them both up to now so it was hoping a bit much for them both to get to Cheltenham okay," he said.
"Last time Limestone Lad ran there (three years ago) it was good to firm and he handled that well. It would be to his advantage if it was heavy as he keeps galloping and it tires the others. But he's 11 now, he's been through it all and at this stage I've given up worrying about him. As long as the ground is safe we'll be fine - that's my only concern."
Limestone Lad could make an appearance at Leopardstown's post-race workout on Sunday but one horse unlikely to race at the weekend is the Gold Cup hope Commanche Court. Instead of appearing in the Mick Holly Handicap Chase, the horse is likely to have a private work out.
One man who will be watching today's opener at Thurles will be Tom Taaffe who is preparing the Punchestown winner Kicking King for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Kicking King had eight lengths in hand of Woodys Deep Ocean at Punchestown and the Meade runner looks to hold a winning shout in this afternoon's novice hurdle.
Meade could also go close in the following Opportunity maiden where Arctic Cherry, a fifth to Munster at Navan last time, can get the better of the 102-rated Theatre Lane.
The Gowran winner Beachcomber Bay represents the Meade camp in the novice chase but this one may have to give best to Rathgar Beau. Barry Geraghty's mount was beaten just half a length by the outsider Schwartzhalle in a Graded race at Navan 11 days ago and looks to just have the edge this time.
• The Kilmacud-Crokes GAA club are hosting a Cheltenham preview night this Sunday at the Stillorgan Park Hotel.
Guests will include Charlie Swan, Noel Chance and Noel Meade and tickets costing €15 are available form the club. The evening begins at 7.30.
