Sport

Strong opposition for Lad

RACING: Limestone Lad heads a total of 10 entries for Sunday's AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Tue Jan 21 2003 - 00:00

RACING: Limestone Lad heads a total of 10 entries for Sunday's AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

James Bowe's 10-year-old will be bidding for his 36th career victory in the Grade One event over two miles.

The opposition looks strong though with Willie Mullins's highly-regarded Davenport Milenium among the entries along with Intersky Falcon from Jonjo O'Neill's yard.

Mullins also has Scolardy, last year's Triumph Hurdle winner, in the €87,000 contest while Like-A-Butterfly could make her seasonal reappearance for trainer Christy Roche.

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Charlie Swan is set to ride Like-A-Butterfly for Roche and owner JP McManus.

Benbyas is the other possible British representative while Liss A Paoraigh, Scottish Memories, Stage Affair and Turtleback complete the field.

Limestone Lad also holds an entry for the Bank Of Ireland Hurdle over half a mile further at Naas on Saturday but Michael Bowe, son of the trainer, has indicated that the Leopardstown event is their preferred target.

The Bowe team also have Florida Coast, a winner at Fairyhouse yesterday and Solerina in the 22-strong entry at Naas.

Liss A Paoraigh is also entered in both events while Ted Walsh has put top chasers Commanche Court and Rince Ri in the hurdles race.

Mullins's pair of One Knight Out and Alexander Milenium hold engagements in both the Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase at Naas on Saturday and the Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup at Leopardstown the next day.

Sunday's Grade One race could offer some better Cheltenham clues with Adamant Approach entered as well as Jessica Harrington's Bust Out and former top hurdler The Gatherer.

Intersky Falcon has been installed 2 to 1 favourite with Cashmans, while he is 9 to 4 favourite with Paddy Power. Limestone Lad is a best-priced 7 to 2 with Power.

Bust Out is early favourite for the Arkle Perpetual Chase and is 2 to 1 with Power.

AIG Champion Hurdle - Cashmans: 2-1 Intersky Falcon, 11-4 Davenport Milenium, 3-1 Limestone Lad, 5-1 Like-A-Butterfly, 12-1 Scottish Memories, 16-1 Liss A Paoraigh, Stage Affair, 20-1 Scolardy, 40-1 Turtleback, 50-1 Benbyas.

Paddy Power: 9-4 Intersky Falcon, 7-2 Limestone Lad, Like-A-Butterfly, 9-2 Davenport Milenium, 11-2 Scottish Memories, 7-1 Liss A Paoraigh, 16-1 Stage Affair, 20-1 Scolardy, 33-1 Turtleback, 66-1 Benbyas.