What can beat Istabraq at Cheltenham?

Maybe a rabbit is starting to burrow a rogue hole in the Cotswolds that will trip up the champion hurdler, or there may be a stone in Ballydoyle with Istabraq's name on it ready to bruise him.

But after yesterday's awesome display here there doesn't appear to be an equine rival capable of getting within an ass's roar of depriving Istabraq of his title.

Rarely have ostensibly class horses been treated with such contempt as Istabraq treated French Holly, et al, in the AIG Irish Champion Hurdle. And remember that French Holly is regarded as Britain's main defence for Cheltenham. It's a defence that makes the Maginot Line look impregnable.

Istabraq's winning margin over French Holly was a length, but that doesn't take into account the crick in Charlie Swan's neck from continual, contemptuous glances at a struggling French Holly and the impression that Istabraq appeared so bored that Swan actually had to shake the reins at him for a split second near the line.

It was a display of sheer and towering talent and one that had the bookmakers scrambling for cover. Istabraq is as low as 1 to 2 to win the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and a best priced 4 to 6. The frightening thought is that that may yet be value in what is the most prized pot in hurdling.

"We weighed him on Saturday evening and he was 15 kilos too heavy. He was definitely heavier than I would have liked him to be. He improved from this race to Cheltenham last year and it will be interesting to see what happens this time," said Aidan O'Brien with characteristic understatement.

Interesting indeed, especially for French Holly's trainer, Ferdy Murphy, who was clinging to the hope that his horse will do better in March when he shouldn't have to make the running. Yesterday he was a sitting target for Istabraq, but Murphy admitted that the hope is slim.

"Istabraq is a brilliant champion. Maybe it will be a different story at Cheltenham. We live in hope, but it looks like everyone will be running for place money," he said.

Considering that O'Brien later added that "there is a good bit to come", and that Swan reported "that was his best ever performance, even better than last year at Cheltenham", the bookies reaction was not surprising. Istabraq is now almost certain to start the hottest Champion Hurdle favourite since Bula, who started at 8 to 11 in 1972. Rob Hartnett, of the British Tote, spoke for most when he said: "They can start inscribing Istabraq's name on the trophy now!"

His Song will also be a red-hot Irish fancy for the Arkle at Cheltenham, but although he won the Irish Arkle yesterday, his narrow neck victory over Padre Mio resulted in a slight stretch of his odds for March to 9 to 2 favourite.

After appearing to be cruising on the turn in, His Song had to fight like a titan to hold off the veteran Padre Mio, a Fighting Fifth winner in his youth but a winner at lowly Tramore on his last appearance.

Mouse Morris expressed himself pleased with the performance and His Song's courage in the closing stages, but the tightness of the finish can be judged by the whip bans handed out to Shay Barry and Ruby Walsh. The latter got two days for excessive frequency, and Barry, who intends to appeal the decision, got four days for excessive force.

There were 11 astute winners of the £64,000 jackpot, astute because the last leg was won by the 20 to 1 shot Frezenium who passed the post a length clear of Hat Or Halo. The runner-up was subsequently disqualified after his rider, Josh Byrne, weighed in 2lb light.

Aidan O'Brien's brother-in-law, Shay Slevin, contributed to a good day for the family when training the last winner, Forget Us Not, who ran on late to beat the favourite U Jump I Jump. It was Slevin's second racecourse winner.

Swan completed a double on Annie Cares in the novice hurdle, where the £155,000 purchase off the flat, Oa Baldixe, was a disappointing favourite, coming under pressure a mile from home.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup second favourite, Florida Pearl, jumped nine fences in a schooling session after racing at Leopardstown yesterday.

Ridden by Ruby Walsh, Florida Pearl was accompanied by the Ted Walsh-trained pair Papillon and Rince Ri and pleased his connections.

"We'll give him one more pop over fences at home before the Hennessy Gold Cup," said his trainer, Willie Mullins.

Also after racing, Danoli worked on the flat over a full circuit and also jumped two fences in his preparation for the Hennessy. Danoli last ran at Gowran in October.

A crowd of 10,018 attended Leopardstown yesterday, and the bookmaker betting figures were slightly up on last year to £727,361. The Tote figure was also up, reaching £266,998.