There may only be six runners declared for this afternoon's Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown but none of them would look out of place in an Arkle Trophy Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

This is the race that Ted Walsh has chosen to introduce Commanche Run to fences and this alone is an indication that he thinks his former Triumph Hurdle winner is going to make an equally big splash as a chaser. However, he has to prove that he has the speed over fences to cope with an unbeaten novice Strong Run who has looked something special in his two runs this autumn.

The first fence exit of To Your Honour at Naas made a present of that to Strong Run but you can not criticise him for the error of his rival. Previously Strong Run had dominated Cockney Lad over this course and distance.

A revelation of just how much progress Limestone Lad has made through the course of the year can be gleaned from a comparison of the current ratings of himself and Nomadic as set against the outcome of their racecourse clash at Gowran Park in February. Then Nomadic gave 6lb and a beating to Limestone Lad.

If they met in a handicap today Nomadic despite a good run afterwards in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle would now get 7lb from his rival. Limestone Lad can uphold this theory by reversing the Red Mills Hurdle placings in the Morgiana Hurdle.

Beal Na Blath won the Eastwood Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle in a common canter from a field of 20 at The Maze last Saturday and with Shane Kelly's 3lb claim reducing her weight to 9-5, she looks an appealing nap proposition in the Dunlavoin Handicap Hurdle.

Noel Meade can start and finish the day with a winning favourite. He is noted for the tuition he gives his young hurdlers and Sungazer fits this pattern. Sing Solo was up against an older horse when second to Lively Buck at Punchestown.

Ted Walsh's decision to declare Papillon as well as Rince Ri for tomorrow's Pierse Group Troytown Chase at Navan has ensured that Rince Ri will be starting his new season carrying a racing weight of 11-7. It is noteworthy that he sustained his only defeat in five chases so far when attempting to carry 12 stone in a three-mile handicap at Navan in March won by Micko's Dream.

He had started off at the corresponding 1998 fixture with an eight length win from Native Estates and he wound up by lifting one of the plum races, the Power Gold Cup Cup at Fairyhouse.