History will be made at Naas tomorrow when Le Coudray is launched on his Irish debut in the Bank Of Ireland Hurdle. He was bought in France by J P McManus as a significant addition to what is already a powerful string of National Hunt horses and I cannot recall a previous occasion in which a made hurdler of his class was imported into the country.
Ireland is, after all, the preeminent European exporter in this field of equine activity. However, when it comes to making an early start the French have the edge on us. It is the custom not merely to school the juvenile hurdlers at a far earlier date and they start racing in the spring, not the autumn.
Because of this particular set-up Le Coudray is already a major money earner, having proved himself the champion of his age group in France. After clinching the deal JP sent him to join Istabraq at Ballydoyle, and Aidan O'Brien yesterday affirmed his well being. His presence among the leaders in the ante-post market on the Stayer's Hurdle at Cheltenham indicates that stamina is believed to be his strong suit.
Adding a vital spark of competition, Dermot Weld takes him on with his in-form Ladbroke winner Archive Footage, and Tony McCoy, who lost the ride at Leopardstown because of his Saturday English engagements, takes over from David Evans.
At these weights he is closely rated with Limestone Lad, but if Le Coudray is an authentic Festival candidate, he should be too good for handicappers. One way or another, his running will be an attraction.
McCoy, who hoisted his British seasonal century earlier this week, should start the day with a winner on All The Colours. John Mulhern's horse began his career in bumpers and was third in what was arguably the best Cheltenham bumper yet seen, the 1997 renewal in which Florida Pearl defeated Arctic Camper. Subsequently All The Colours reverted to Rules of Racing and is a decent middle distance handicapper and one who is a genuine soft ground performer.
The nap is Kamactay in the Celbridge Handicap Hurdle. He was a stylish New Year's Day winner of the Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle and it was no surprise when he ran a tip-top race to finish sixth to Archive Footage in the Ladbroke. His partner can now exercise his 7lb claim and the pair should outgallop Nibalda and Marchaway in a tightly-knit contest.
Rince Ri can enhance his claims for the SunAlliance Chase by beating McCoy's mount Foxchapel King in the Naas Novice Chase. He did well over hurdles last season and when put to fences at Navan was a sparkling success. The fact that he had not run since mid-March proved no problem and he strolled away from Native Estates and Notcomplainingbut.
Rose Of Inchiquin has been running with some consistency and looks a sporting wager in a 24-runner bumper.
Members of the Irish Racing Writers Association will be rather disappointed at only four runners for their novice hurdle but consolation may spring from a quality winner in Arthur Moore's French importation Fadoudal Du Cochet.
