Danoli may edge out Dorans Pride

THE first of what could prove to be some important clashes over fences between Danoli and Dorans Pride will draw big crowds to Fairyhouse tomorrow, when the big two will be opposed by the English trained See More Business in the Grade one Chiquita Drinmore Novices Chase over two and a half miles.

Danoli was, at 157, rated only 4lb superior to Dorans Pride over hurdles. Both were assessed several pounds above the less experienced but potentially brilliant See More Business, who caving landed two point to points in the spring of 1995, was undefeated in his three races over hurdles, novice events at Chepstow, Wincanton and Sandown.

This highly thought of six year old, who was unchallenged when winning a three runner novice chase on his fencing debut at Chepstow earlier this month, will appreciate the soft underfoot conditions and the distance of the race. Indeed, all three will be at home over this two and a half miles and may conceivably dominate Cheltenham's Sun Alliance Chase next March. But that is some way off.

Of those who saw Danoli and Dorans Pride succeed in their two races over fences, many leaned towards the latter, who was not extended to win at Limerick and over Punchestown's big fences. But Dorans Pride was racing over favourable distances, whereas Danoli was competing over the minimum distance at Naas - good for his speed and attitude but nonetheless short of his best.

In what promises to be a most intriguing chase, I favour Danoli, but the issue could be close between the trio.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of See More Business, also runs Castlekellyleader in the Grade One Avonmore Hatton's Grace Hurdle and Lake Kariba in the Grade One Avonmore Royal Bond Novices Hurdle. All three are to be ridden by Tony McCoy.

Castlekellyleader may not have been the best of jumpers but was a very smart novice hurdler when trained by Paddy Mullins last season, winning a Grade Two over this course as well as a Grade Three at Punchestown. He fell in his only chase at Worcester this month.

He is now opposed by another English challenger, Large Action, who has finished second and third in Champion Hurdles and nowadays needs, further. He has not run since beating Atours and Morley Street over two and a half miles, at Ascot a year ago, but, as showing when winning at Uttoxeter on his previous appearance, does well when, fresh.

This former Tote Gold Trophy winner likes soft ground and certainly represents class in his event. Indeed, he would be set to give a lot of weight to his rivals, the best of whom may prove to be Cockney Lad, a recent winner at Punchestown.

The Paul Nicholls trained Lake Kariba, a former inmate of Charles O'Brien's stable, was unchallenged when winning a novice hurdle on heavy ground at Newton Abbot this month. An improving five year old, he has his chance in the Royal Bond Hurdle.

The Paddy Mullins trained Noble Thyne managed to beat English importation Istabraq by a head in a novice hurdle over this distance at Punchestown, but the latter, running for only the first time over timber, was green and threw away his chance with a last flight blunder. The better for that experience, Aidan O'Brien's charge can reverse the placings especially as his rival may be better suited to two and a half miles.

But this is hardly an open and shut race. Willie Mullins has a good young hurdler in his recent Tipperary winner, Step On Eyre and the Noel Meade trained Charlie Foxtrot caught the eye when overcoming a last flight error to win at Naas last Saturday. I thought Istabraq did well to run the more experienced Noble Thyne so close at Punchestown.

Fiftysevenchannels, who touched off champion chaser Klairon Davis when receiving 21lb in a handicap chase at Leopardstown, may win the Cottage Handicap Chase.