The three-time Epsom Derby-winning jockey Johnny Murtagh will step up to the Grade One plate over jumps for the first time in his career when he partners Golden Cross in Sunday's Ballymore Properties Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Murtagh's decision to ride over hurdles this winter in a bid to control his weight has already paid off with two winners, at Gowran last Saturday (Southern Style) and at Punchestown 12 days ago (Game Ball Ali.)
The Hatton's Grace, however, will be a totally different proposition, with Tony McCoy set to partner the likely favourite, Brave Inca, and the prolific mare Solerina taking her place in search of three-in-a-row in the two and a half mile Grade One highlight.
Michael Halford, who trains Golden Cross, yesterday insisted he was delighted to have Murtagh riding for him.
"It was a very easy decision to make. He has ridden Golden Cross to win before and he has been riding well over hurdles. I'm glad to have him," said Halford who supplied Murtagh with Game Ball Ali to win last month.
"I don't think his experience over hurdles is a problem. He has had plenty of rides lately and he schooled Golden Cross this morning, when he schooled better than I've ever seen him. I have no doubts about it."
This winter is 35-year-old Murtagh's second stint over jumps. He tried racing over hurdles 10 years ago for a short period.
This year he scored his third Epsom Derby success on Motivator, adding to victories on Sinndar (2000) and High Chaparral (2002). They are among the highlights of an international CV that also includes an Arc triumph on Sinndar and a pair of Breeders' Cup triumphs on Ridgewood Pearl and Kalanisi.
Halford also gave an upbeat report on Golden Cross, who won the November Handicap for Murtagh on the flat at Leopardstown on his last start. His greatest moment over jumps was when springing a 66 to 1 shock in the Festival Hurdle in 2003, and Sunday will be his first jumps outing since the 2004 Champion Hurdle.
"This will be his first try at two and a half miles, but we have always thought he would stay it well. Charlie Swan always felt he would be better with a trip, and the way he stays two miles on the flat supports that," he said.
The Solerina team have been encouraged by a pleasing piece of work last weekend as she tries to repeat her wins of 2003 and 2004.
"She did a piece of work on the Doninga gallops over the weekend so it's all systems go for the Hatton's Grace. It should be a good race," said Michael Bowe.
Solerina will clash again with Back In Front, who she beat in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan, but one of the 10-strong entry left in the Hatton's Grace at yesterday's forfeit stage will not be running.
The Sean Mulryan-owned Sunspot, trained in France by Arnaud Chaille-Chaille, will not be travelling to Ireland, according to a spokesman for the owner. Neither will his stable companion Zaiyad, who is one of 13 left in the Bet@bluesquare Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.
Paddy Power have made Brave Inca their 6 to 4 favourite to follow up a Morgiana success last time out. Solerina is his market challenger at 2 to 1.
Just 10 entries remain in the Pierse Group Drinmore Chase, and they include the unbeaten-over-fences Justified, who had been reported as being more likely to wait for Leopardstown over Christmas.
However, his trainer, Dusty Sheehy, said yesterday: "I've left him in to have a look. I haven't looked at the race yet and I won't make my mind up until later in the week."
A decision on whether the Sheehy-trained Rathgar Beau will travel to Sandown on Saturday for the William Hill Tingle Creek Chase won't be made until today, although it looked a little more likely yesterday.
"At the moment I would say he is more likely than not to go. I'm leaning that way. But no final decision has been taken," Sheehy said.
Christy Roche also reported yesterday that his Thurles winner Far From Trouble could return to the Co Tipperary track rather than take up the Drinmore challenge.
The highly-touted O'Muircheartaigh has been installed as a 5 to 4 favourite with Paddy Power for the Royal Bond, which also has Alexander Taipan and the Noel Meade trio of Mr Nosie, Nicanor and Iktitaf among the entry. Nicanor fell when going well at Navan on Sunday, leaving jockey Paul Carberry to be stood down for the day.
Carberry reports that his shoulder was only bruised in the fall and he expects to resume at Thurles tomorrow.
BETTING
Hatton's Grace Hurdle - Paddy Power: 6-4 Brave Inca, 2 Solerina, 3 Back In Front, 12 Golden Cross, 20 Bar. Cashmans: evens Brave Inca, 2 Solerina, 4 Back In Front, 7 Golden Cross, 20 Newmill, 33 bar.
Royal Bond Novice Hurdle - Paddy Power: 5-4 O'Muircheartaigh, 4 Alexander Taipan, 11-2 Iktitaf, 6 Nicanor, 7 Mounthenry, 10 Mr Nosie, 16 bar.
Drinmore Chase - Cashmans: 9-4 Mansony, 11-4 Kill Devil Hill, 4 Church Island, 11-2 Far From Trouble, 6 Mr Babbage, 10 Doctor Linton, 16 bar.
