Istabraq has been confirmed on track for his first start of the season at Leopardstown but television viewers will yet again be denied live pictures of the champion hurdler's Christmas outing.
RTE confirmed yesterday they will be showing just the first three days of the four-day Christmas festival and as a result home viewers will miss out on one of National Hunt racing's top draws on December 29th.
Istabraq has won the AIB December Festival Hurdle every year since 1997 and will be aimed at an initial four in a row attempt ahead of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
Aidan O'Brien confirmed the JP McManus-owned horse to be on target for his first start since last season's Champion Hurdle, in the process silencing any speculation that may have arisen from racing's constantly buzzing rumour mill.
"There are rumours every year about this horse. I have no interest in them," O'Brien said. "It's so far so good with Istabraq and the plan is to run him at Christmas."
Thurles tomorrow is the last day's racing before Christmas in Ireland and Istabraq's rider Charlie Swan can go into the holiday period in good heart after a successful afternoon.
The former champion rides Lawz for Pat Hughes in the featured Horse and Jockey Hurdle and this is quite an interesting contest with Slaney Native reverting from fences and Pas Possible hardly ideally suited by the forecast heavy ground. Those factors can tip the race in Lawz's direction.
Swan also looks to have solid claims on the Tramore runner up Crimson Tirol in the novice handicap hurdle while he looks a significant booking for the John Magnier owned newcomer Bunratty Castle in the first.
The rest of the card isn't particularly inspiring at first glance but maybe Ballygowan Beauty will be worth an interest in the Molony Cup. Runner up to King's Valley at Cork, Kieran Gaule's mount then ran out a comfortable winner at Clonmel and looks to be showing welcome sparks of some of his best old form. Hennessy Feeds, beaten by Kadouko on the track last time, could be the danger.
The father and son team of Tom and Ross Geraghty were successful during the week at Fairyhouse and can confirm their good form with Gold Blaze in the handicap hurdle. Gold Blaze's Downpatrick second to Wicked Crack looks pretty good now following Wicked Crack's sauntering midweek victory.
