Aidan O'Brien yesterday confirmed that his staying hurdle star Le Coudray will attempt revenge on Istabraq's conqueror Limestone Lad at Navan on Saturday.
The pair look set to dominate the Racecourse & Golf Course Hurdle over two and a half miles, the course and distance over which Le Coudray beat Limestone Lad in October.
Ascot's Long Walk Hurdle on Saturday week had been considered an alternative for Le Coudray but yesterday O'Brien said: "The plan is to run at Navan and if he does run there he is unlikely to go to Ascot also. JP (McManus) would probably like to keep him for Leopardstown over Christmas."
Limestone Lad had already been confirmed for Navan in the wake of springing the season's biggest shock at Fairyhouse 10 days ago with his defeat of the O'Brien-trained Champion Hurdler Istabraq.
O'Brien reported Istabraq in "good form" after that race and also confirmed yesterday that Leopardstown's Festival Hurdle will be the horse's next race.
The Ballydoyle trainer also said that the highly rated three-year-old Yeoman's Point will race at Leopardstown over Christmas and he will complete his O'Brien's festive team.
"Theatreworld has had a break and may not be ready in time while Kilcash Castle probably won't be brought out until later in the season," O'Brien added.
The action today is at Clonmel where the best known name on the card is probably the Cheltenham festival winner Generosa who attempts to get off the mark over fences at the third attempt in the Mares Beginners Chase.
A fine runner-up to the smart Saxophone at Galway on her first start, Generosa was a major disappointment the next day when beaten at odds of 1 to 3 by Jolly John at Thurles.
Possessed of a high cruising speed and a good turn of foot, Generosa is the most talented runner in this race but timing is usually vital with her and those willing to oppose the likely favourite could do worse than side with Annie Cares.
Shay Barry's mount won a very decent hurdle at Leopardstown at the start of the year and in today's context it is significant that Annie Cares won a Limerick bumper after a long break last year before following up with a success at Cork.
Generosa's Cheltenham partner Norman Williamson has recovered enough from a weekend fall to take the ride on Pharmacy Trio for Michael Hourigan in the handicap chase and this Downpatrick winner looked unlucky with a bad mistake at the second last behind Brambledale at Thurles last week.
The drop back in trip could help Irregular Planting burn off the field in the Beginners Chase, while Philip Carberry could be the man to follow on Henni Bay and Kenny's Princess in the handicap hurdle.
