Two hurdling stars and likely Cheltenham bankers Istabraq and Limestone Lad fought it out in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle this afternoon at Leopardstown. The 2 mile distance more suited to Istabraq under Charlie Swan brought the Aiden O'Brien trained champion hurdler his third victory in the race. Limestone Lad led from early on but could not shift up the necessary gear approaching the last and Swan eased his mount into the lead for an easy victory. Stage Affair and Knife Edge also passed Limestone Lad as his efforts took their toll. Istabraq was 2-9 favourite.
"Better than ever", remarked the former champion rider after he came home 4 lengths clear of Stage Affair who ran a cracker for British champion Tony McCoy. "You'd have to be happy with him and he'll go straight to Cheltenham", said Aidan O'Brien, who also saddled Yeoman's Point (5th) and Theatreworld which trailed in last.
Limestone Lad was headed rounding the home turn and weakened to finish fourth and was reported to have a slight overreach on his near-fore but was post race normal. On Cheltenham plans, Dermot Weld said of Stage Affair, "We'll keep our options open and the novice race is the obvious choice but I wouldn't rule out the champion yet."
Florida Pearl had to battle hard up the run-in for Paul Carberry to just hold a gallant Amberleigh House and his younger brother Philip in the 2 mile 3 furlong handicap chase. Willie Mullins' top-weight wasn't that fluent down the back straight but he swept into the lead over the second last with a good leap before holding on for the win. "He comes back for the Hennessy in two weeks time. He picked up and battled and at least he's back to a bit of form", said Willie Mullins. Speaking about a recent setback with Florida Pearl, Mullins revealed, "He got a little knock under his fetlock joint and he was in his box for 4 or 5 days but hopefully it's all cleared now." Bookmakers reacted by extending his Gold Cup odds to 8/1 (from 7/1).
Earlier, Frozen Groom confirmed his reputation as one of Ireland's most promising young chasers with another outstanding display of jumping to land the Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup at 9-4. Always on the shoulder of top weight and 2-1 favourite Alexander Banquet, Noel Meade's charge was given the office by Paul Carberry as they came round the final bend and there was only one result from that moment on.
All the results:
1.10pm Ashford Ext. Handicap Hurdle – No.2 BOSS DOYLE - CF Swan (4/1).
1.40pm Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup – No.6 FROZEN GROOM - P Carberry (9/4).
2.10pm BAX Global Ext. Handicap Chase – No.1 FLORIDA PEARL - P Carberry (2/5 fav).
2.45pm AIG Europe Irish Champion Hurdle – No.1 ISTABRAQ - CF Swan (2/9 fav).
3.20pm Waterford Crystal Novice Hurdle – No.9 MONIFETH MAN - AP McCoy (11/1).
3.50pm Fairhaven I.N.H. Flat Race – No.1 IT TAKES TIME - CJ Swords (11/8 fav).
4.20pm Foxrock I.N.H Flat Race – No.5 ROOMTOROOM EXPRESS - A Fitzgerald (8/1).
