RACING: Christy Roche has described the chances of an epic pre-Christmas clash between Limestone Lad and Bannow Bay at Navan on Sunday as "unlikely".
The two top stayers are entered in the Giltspur Scientific Hurdle over two and a half miles but Bannow Bay is more likely to run half an hour later in the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle over three miles.
The Roche-trained horse has been on the sidelines so far this season while Limestone Lad has won three from three.
It was thought Bannow Bay would not be seen out until the Woodies Hurdle at Christmas but an encouraging post-race work out at Punchestown on Sunday has resulted in a change of plan.
"I've decided to get him out and he is going to run in one of the races at the weekend. That will tell us whether to go for Christmas or not. He only did a mile and a half on Sunday but I was happy with what he did," Roche said yesterday.
"I'll decide later in the week which race he'll run in but I'd say it's unlikely he'll take on Limestone Lad at this stage. He'll probably get an easier race in the other one and there will probably be only three in the handicap proper," he added.
Bannow Bay would have to carry 12-2 in the handicap if that's the target for his first race since being runner-up to Baracouda at Cheltenham.
Like-A-Butterfly also galloped after racing at Punchestown and remains on target for the Festival Hurdle.
However, Roche commented: "She's not as far forward as the other fellah but we'll run at Christmas and then see about the Champion Hurdle."
Limestone Lad will instead have another old rival to deal with in Liss A Paoraigh as he tries to maintain his unbeaten record this season.
Michael Bowe indicated yesterday that Paul Carberry will resume on Limestone Lad in Sunday's race, presuming he returns in time from the knocks he picked up at Punchestown over the weekend.
Bowe also described as 50-50 the chances of Solerina taking on the SunAlliance favourite Pizarro in the Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Hurdle on Sunday. "I don't over-do it with her and we don't have to decide for a day or two yet," he said.
The exciting novice Beef Or Salmon has Cork's O'Connell Transport Hilly Way Chase as his Sunday target. Michael Hourigan has expressed his preference for the two-mile race for Beef Or Salmon's second start over fences. A total of 13 others remain in the race including the Grand Annual winner Fadoudal Du Cochet.
Tony Martin is likely to send Ross Moff to Cheltenham this weekend - but not for the Tripleprint Gold Cup. Ross Moff had been among the market leaders for the Tripleprint but instead Martin will choose between a two-mile handicap chase on Friday and a three-miler on Saturday.
"He is very versatile as regards trip and I have no worries about the ground at Cheltenham," Martin said.
