Trainer Aidan O'Brien today said Istabraq may have a racecourse gallop in Ireland tomorrow. The triple Smurfit Champion Hurdle winner has only raced once this season but O'Brien is resisting the temptation to give the horse a competitive run before next month's Cheltenham festival.
"We want to take his preparation a step further by getting a racecourse gallop into him. But it all depends on the weather and the ground. Wherever he goes he'll do a lap of the track and perhaps jump a hurdle. Charlie Swan will ride him," confirmed O'Brien.
Coral bookmakers are quoting Istabraq as 15-8 favourite to capture a record fourth Champion Hurdle victory on March 12.
Filed by Tom Grealis
