ARTHUR MOORE holds a strong hand with four runners in today's Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown today. The Paul Carberry partnered Whale of A Knight and Wylde Hide, ridden by stable jockey Frank Woods, may be the pick of the quartet with preference for Wylde Hide, the better for his recent run over hurdles at Navan - and likely to be suited by any overnight rain.

A dour stayer, Wylde Hide was in contention when, after suffering interference, he unseated his rider at the Canal Turn in this year's Grand National. He won the Thyestes Chase back-to-back in January and, while the National was run on good ground, he overcame heavy going at Gowran Park. He is tough and experienced and with better luck could be a force in next year's National.

New Co seems attractively weighted. Mouse Morris's charge is more highly rated over hurdles but he was an easy winner of a two and a half mile handicap chase at Navan where he gave a lot of weight to the runner-up Hemisphere. Lord Singapore will be suited by plenty of give and this good stayer also won at Navan. But at his best J P McManus's Wylde Hide will take some beating. Time For A Run, who also carries McManus's colours, is said to be in good form and could reach a place.

Whatever the fate of Wylde Hide, Moore should win the McCain Handicap Chase with KIairon Davis who, for the second year running, fell in Punchestown's MMl Stockbrokers Chase. But barring accident the

Queen Mother Champion Chase winner should be capable of giving the weight to Merry Gale, who so far has shown little signs of being back to his best, in that he has weakened in the closing stages after jumping brilliantly early on.

Istabraq is an exciting young novice. J P McManus's four-year-old was running for only the second time over timber when making such an impression at Fairyhouse where, in relation to Noble Thyne's placing, he showed just how unlucky he was at Punchestown. He can take one more step to Cheltenham glory by winning the 1st Choice Novice Hurdle.