The chasing debut of Champion Hurdle runner-up Theatreworld has kept on being postponed because of his excellent recent flat handicap form. Now that he reverts to flights for today's Lismullen Hurdle, he should not be opposed.

A test of stamina on a galloping track has always been the ideal for Aidan O'Brien's admirable gelding and he gets that today. He will need the advantages, too, because with the Noel Meade duo of Cockney Lad and Dardjini, plus his stable companion Colm's Rock, in the race, this is a quality contest.

Cockney Lad had little more than an exercise canter to win at Down Royal last weekend, and on Irish Champion Hurdle form has the beating of both Theatreworld and Dardjini. But that was over two miles and while the extra half mile should be in Theatreworld's favour, it must be of concern to Meade.

Colm's Rock has been a prolific scorer all year and will have no problems with the trip. He could emerge as the main danger to Theatreworld, who may not travel as well as the opposition through the race but will surely be finishing best of all.

In the Fortria Handicap Chase, Merry Gale makes his seasonal debut with 12st on his back. Merry Gale at his best could dismiss that weight, but first time out it could be worth opposing him.

With what is the question, but possibly Arctic Weather at the other end of the weight scale could be the one. This two miles and a furlong looks ideal for Michael O'Brien's eight-year-old, and, if buried at the rear of the small field in the early stages, Arctic Weather has the speed, and the light weight, to outspeed his opposition.

The other Graded race on the card is the For Auction Novices Hurdle, and if Edward O'Grady's Go Roger Go reproduces the effort that saw him beat the hotpot Promalee at Tipperary last time, he should win this and earn a trip to Cheltenham for the Murphys meeting.

The worry is that the Tipperary race was over two-and-a-half miles on very soft ground, but Navan's two miles should be a stiff enough test to bring Go Roger Go's undoubted stamina into play.

One of the most interesting runners on the card is the giant Grey Guy, who makes his chasing debut in the Beginners Chase. This one landed quite a gamble at Fairyhouse last January, but has always looked to have the size and scope to make a significant mark over fences.

Grey Guy faces a more than worthwhile opponent in Garry's Lock, a fine third to Private Peace at Tipperary last time, but he had a hard race in the soft ground and a fit and fresh Grey Guy looks up to beating him even on his fencing bow.

Native Estates could have improved enough from a recent Gowran run to win the bumper while Play'ntothegallery is selected in the maiden hurdle.

Navan's weekend continues with some promising novices lining up for tomorrow's featured Irish Field Chase.

None look more promising though than Private Peace, who is a confident selection to make his record three from three over fences against what looks to be his main danger, Hill Society.

Private Peace followed up a facile success at Listowel with a far more meritorious victory at Tipperary two weeks ago when he battled through that testing ground with commendable relish to beat Macnamarasband and Garrys Lock with something in hand.

Afterwards, Richard Dunwoody admitted to being very impressed with the grey, and Aidan O'Brien had little hesitation in nominating him as a long-term Sun Alliance Chase prospect. That means stamina is Private Peace's probable strongpoint in the highest class, but he should be up to beating Hill Society, a good hurdler who also has an unbeaten record over fences.

It could be a very good day indeed for O'Brien, who could also be on the mark in the Burtown Wood Handicap Hurdle with Lewisham, a horse that floundered in the going at the aforementioned Tipperary fixture.

Eventually Lewisham faded to finish seventh to Runabout, but with the ground forecast to be decent, the gelding should be a far more effective proposition. Reasilvia was a comfortable winner at Wexford last Sunday and will be a formidable opponent, as will Fiddlers Bow, but Lewisham is preferred.

O'Brien's good day can start immediately if Fawn Prince makes a winning start over hurdles in the opener.

An especially interesting runner in this is Nick Dundee, who was bought for a substantial amount of money after an impressive bumper win at Clonmel over 12 months ago. Nick Dundee could emerge as a good horse indeed, but he has had his problems since then and it may be best to side with Fawn Prince, who was considered good enough to run in the bumper at the Cheltenham festival last March.

Promalee was a raging hot 1 to 3 favourite to win last time but got turned over by Go Roger Go. If that one can win here today, it will at least boost the form, but even if that doesn't happen, it will be hard to oppose the O'Brien horse.

If Private Peace is as good as his connections think then it may be unwise to ignore Macnamarasband in the Copelands Handicap Chase despite the presence of the classy topweight Time For A Run.

Macnamarasband ran a blindng race that day at Tipperary as he did before that in a three mile hurdle at Naas. Although a novice, he does at least get some weight off Time For A Run and a win for Private Peace earlier would only boost his chance.

Former Gold, one of the leading fancies for the Breeder's Cap Classic at Hollywood Park on Saturday week, has fractured his off hind and will undergo surgery.