RACING: Limestone Lad tops a list of close on 30 horses who will work-out after racing at Leopardstown tomorrow.

Traditionally it's the gallops in the gloom that are the pre-Cheltenham highlight and there is no question who the star of the show will be.

It won't be a walk in the park for Limestone Lad either as he continues his preparation for the Bonusprint Stayers Hurdle. On the back of an interruption caused by a bout of the cough, Limestone Lad will be given a good blow out.

"He'll need every bit of it. He is carrying condition because he is eating so well and the trip will do him no harm at all," said trainer Michael Bowe yesterday.

Heavy ground is forecast for the Dublin track which could sway some trainers against an extensive work-out but the conditions don't worry the Limestone Lad camp.

"I've never been frightened of heavy ground before and when I'm nervous of it that will be the time I'll throw my hat at it. I just hope they're getting the same rain in Cheltenham," Bowe said.

"We're just trying to keep things going like we have all season: not over doing him and not under doing him either. We're keeping it steady as she goes," he added.

The Leopardstown authorities are expecting up to 30 horses to appear but racing manager Tom Burke conceded: "We've had a lot of rain and that may be a determining factor for a lot of people. Willie Mullins has indicated he may bring up to eight horses and others in touch have been Tony Mullins, Charlie Swan and Tony Martin.

"We're expecting more or less the same numbers on Monday morning and we're told that Ted Walsh could bring his horses here."

On the racing front there could be a number of festival hints to emerge, none more so than in the handicap hurdle where Bob What is lumbered with topweight.

The Mullins horse hasn't run since October when runner-up to the Champion Hurdle-contender, Intersky Falcon, at Tipperary but Bob What will do well to concede all this weight on the ground.

Lurking at the other end of the handicap is Caraman who has a good chance on some of his form and has another 7lbs taken off by the claim.

The Arkle-entry Alexander Milenium goes in the Stepaside Novice Chase and he looks hard to oppose based on the race he ran behind Bust Out when falling at the second last.

The most valuable pot of the day is the Mick Holly Handicap Chase and the answer to this Listed contest could also lie at the bottom end of the handicap.

Jenniferjo is a stone better off for the 10 lengths she was behind On The Mend at Clonmel and the close on extra half mile to travel should also be to her benefit.

Martin Pipe will have an eye on the bumper where Gold Blended and The Jesuit, who filled the placings behind the expensive purchase Vodka Bleu, clash again. Neither, however, might be able to cope with the Fairyhouse runner-up Accordion Etoile.