RACING: Stage Affair is to be aimed at the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 26th following a promising run there on Sunday.

The nine-year-old finished second to Liss A Paoraigh in the Evening Herald December Festival Hurdle in his first race over timber following almost two years on the sidelines.

His only racecourse action since finishing fourth to Istabraq in the AIG Hurdle in January 2001 had been a pipeopener in a staying handicap on the Flat at Leopardstown in November when he was unplaced behind Bubble N Squeak.

"He's come out of his race in great form and goes for the AIG," said trainer Dermot Weld yesterday.

"We were pleased with his comeback run the other day."

Weld revealed that Stage Affair, who also was second to Istabraq in the AIG in 2000, would be entered for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

"He will be entered, but we are taking it one day at a time with him," said the Curragh trainer.

Weld is also considering sending Stage Affair novice chasing.

"We'll make a decision one way or the other after the AIG," he added.

Owner Ray Green and his wife Anita saw out 2002 in style with a flurry of winners and they started the New Year in similar fashion when To The Future, Curly Spencer and The Rile completed a short-priced treble in their colours on a gloomy afternoon at Ayr yesterday.

To The Future (7 to 4) and Curly Spencer (evens), both ridden by good conditional Paul Robson, are trained for them by Andrew Parker while The Rile (8 to 11), who was partnered by Tony Dobbin, is one of a trio of horses they have with Lenny Lungo.

To The Future jumped well and stayed on well to gain a decisive four lengths success in the Salmon Novices' Handicap Chase, and it was a poignant moment for his connections.

Explained Green: "To The Future was the last horse Andrew's late father Colin bought for us, and if he stays sound he could have a future in staying chases."