Bookmaker reaction to Limestone Lad's latest success at Navan yesterday varied considerably, but at least the prices quoted for Cheltenham's Stayers' Hurdle carry more weight with confirmation that James Bowe's remarkable horse will definitely run at the festival.
"Our flights are booked and we're on our way for a great day. It would be wrong not to take him," said Phyllis Bowe, wife of the owner-trainer. And after Limestone Lad had cantered home from Sallie's Girl and Dorans Pride in the Boyne Hurdle, not too many yesterday disagreed with the sentiment.
What the bookies can't agree on, however, is Limestone Lad's chance of overturning Anzum and Lady Rebecca at Cheltenham and win his ninth, and most important, race of the season.
Cashmans make him their 6 to 1 third favourite, but Paddy Power were so impressed yesterday that they now make Limestone Lad the 100 to 30 clear favourite. And on yesterday's evidence there can be little question of the extended three miles at the festival troubling the horse's reserves, although he did return with a slight trace of blood in a nostril.
"Because of the trip I gave him a small breather at the top of the hill, but when I gave him a squeeze between the last two to see what he had left he did it really well," confirmed rider Shane McGovern.
Dorans Pride may have finished 33 lengths behind the winner but he pleased Michael Hourigan, who confirmed the veteran will have another crack at the Gold Cup.
"Maybe a little bit too much use was made of him and he didn't jump very well because of the pace, but he'll go back for the Gold Cup," he said.
Paul Carberry had a lucky escape after being unseated from Third Agenda in the opening race, won by Lyreen Wonder. The rider received knocks to his head and back and was taken to hospital for X-rays and a scan, but considering his helmet was crushed in the incident, later reports that Carberry was just shaken were welcome.
Conor O'Dwyer added to Lyreen Wonder's success on the possible Liverpool hope, More Than A Stroll, in the handicap chase and in the process hit the 50 mark for the season, just 24 short of his previous best.
Barry Geraghty had a fall from the favourite, Nibalda, in that race but had earlier stepped in for Carberry on Noel Meade's Arctic Copper, who stayed on too strongly for Alexander Fourball in the maiden hurdle.
At Gowran on Saturday, it was a case of the Cheltenham second string getting various spins and, not surprisingly, the ultimate second string, Theatreworld, yet again filled the number two spot, behind Balla Sola, in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle.
The three-time Champion Hurdle runner-up was forced to cut out the pace, which certainly didn't suit him or the hard pulling winner, but both quickened away nicely from another Champion Hurdle possible, Nomadic.
Powers give Balla Sola a 40 to 1 quote for the Champion, and trainer Willie Mullins reported the horse will run in that race and the County Hurdle on the Thursday of the festival.
In special betting without the outstanding Istabraq, Theatre world is 6 to 1, but such is Istabraq's apparent huge superiority, one weekend wag was moved to say: "If something happens to Istabraq, the Champion Hurdle will have to be divided!"
Mullins unveiled a Triumph Hurdle hope in General Cloney, who overcame some sloppy jumping to beat Ansar in a maiden and earn a 20 to 1 quote for Cheltenham. "He'll need to jump better but he's good at home and deserves a crack at the Triumph," Mullins said.
Micko's Dream had an uninterrupted run from the front in the Red Mills Trial Chase and comfortably beat Bob Treacy and Danoli.
