Limestone Lad's chances of running at Fairyhouse on Thursday have improved. The nine-year-old participation in the Grade One Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers' Hurdle had been thrown into doubt when the horse suffered a stone bruise to a hind leg last week.

But the trainer's wife, Phyllis Bowe, said yesterday: "There was a doubt about him running but I think things are looking up this morning. They've put a shoe on him and he's just gone out.

"He was in great form but he had a stone bruise which set him back. He had two days in his box so he'll just have a bit of light exercise this morning."