Istabraq's long-term mission clear

It's 12 months since Istabraq provoked near cardiac arrest among his legions of followers by falling at the last flight of the Festival Hurdle: it's eight months since dumb shock greeted a repeat performance at the same obstacle. On the champion's first start since, a clear round is the priority.

Racing at Leopardstown does depend on a 7 a.m. precautionary inspection after a forecast of minus two overnight: but any unease about that pales in comparison to concerns about the meeting's star performer.

"After the two things that happened we will be delighted if he gets around and comes back in one piece," said Aidan O'Brien yesterday.

The Ballydoyle trainer is not one to leave things to chance, however, and earlier this month Istabraq travelled back to south Dublin to reacquaint himself with the track and its hurdles.

The outcome of the schooling session was almost as pleasing as the second of the horse's three starts last season when he produced a typically flamboyant performance to win the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle.

The subsequent foot-and-mouth outbreak scuppered hopes of a fourth Champion Hurdle success but the first steps to making up for that in March are taken today as Istabraq faces just five opponents - and that final jump.

"He is very well but he will improve a lot for the race," O'Brien reported. "Long term, the aim is the Champion (Hurdle), but we will be taking it one race at a time. We will get tomorrow out of the way and then hope to have another day with him."

Istabraq has won the Festival Hurdle three times already in his career and his customary Christmas outing has a tradition of boosting Leopardstown's final day attendance.

Over 10,000 are expected to watch JP McManus's star in action when he attempts to improve on his career total of 22 wins from 27 jump starts. They have contributed to Istabraq earning over £1 million in prize-money and the priority again is a return to Cheltenham.

Istabraq is a general 5 to 4 favourite to win again at the March festival but first will have to cope with today's field. Liss A Paoraigh, who ran second to Limestone Lad on her last start, looks the main danger.

However, it will probably be that hurdle lurking in the straight that will have race fans worrying the most.