RACING: The Smurfit Champion Hurdle favourite, Davenport Milenium, makes his comeback at Down Royal today but it will be Christmas before race fans get their first sight of his old rival Like-A-Butterfly.
Christy Roche reported yesterday that his Cheltenham Festival winner has been back in training for the last three weeks and is scheduled to start off her campaign at Leopardstown in the December Festival Hurdle.
The Grade Two contest was the old festive stop for Istabraq and the plan is for Like-A-Butterfly to carry the same JP McManus colours in the race. "We're not spoiled for choice with options but Christmas is the plan. If there are no setbacks she should make the race. She has been back in for three weeks and the Champion Hurdle is the dream," Roche said.
Like-A-Butterfly met her first and only reverse at the Punchestown Festival where two Grade One victories in 48 hours catapulted Davenport Milenium to the top of the Champion Hurdle market.
The Willie Mullins-trained horse is as low as 8 to 1 for Cheltenham and kicks off his campaign against a dangerous opponent in Scottish Memories in the Anglo Irish Bank Hurdle.
Ned Kelly had a penalty kick in this race last year but there's nothing easy about this task, especially with Davenport Milenium having to face "yielding to soft" ground and wet weather forecast.
Five of his eight career starts have resulted in wins but despite his bumper victory on the heavy, Davenport Milenium's best form is on a decent surface. The second of his Punchestown wins resulted in a 21lb hike in the ratings which officially leaves him with 7lb in hand of Scottish Memories.
The Noel Meade horse also won at Punchestown and Fairyhouse and has the advantage of a start already this season. The Tipperary track was hardly ideal for him then but the benefit of the exercise could see him shake Davenport Milenium up today.
The Tote will be in operation at Down Royal and punters at Naas tomorrow will also be able to bet into the pools at the northern track during their big day of the year.
The Gowran runner-up Dashing Home will be a popular fancy in the opener and the bare form of Laurel View's second to Wouldn't You Agree at Galway makes pretty impressive viewing in the context of the bumper.
Killultagh Thunder brings a considerable reputation to the beginners' chase while King's Opera's rating makes her look the bet in the mares' novice hurdle.
