McCoy waits for Stage

Although Tony McCoy has strongly indicated he will be on board Stage Affair in Tuesday's Smurfit Champion Hurdle, a definite decision on which Cheltenham race the horse will run in won't be taken until today.

Stage Affair is also in the Capel Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but with the ground at Cheltenham drying out all the time, a clash with Istabraq is now generally regarded as the favourite option.

Dermot Weld was unavailable for comment yesterday but a stable spokesperson emphasised: "No decision has been taken on Stage Affair. Saturday morning will be D-Day."

Unfortunately, it appears DDay has already passed Adamant Approach, who will probably miss Wednesday's Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

The 5 to 1 ante-post favourite, who had been set to be ridden by Jason Titley, has pulled a muscle in his shoulder and trainer Willie Mullins said yesterday: "He could be out for only a week but at this late stage he must be doubtful for Cheltenham."

This weekend's action at both Navan and Naas may not provide a lot of equine hints for Cheltenham but it should be informative as regards stable in form.

Paul Carberry's aim is more simple as he is scheduled to make his return from a back injury with one ride at Naas tomorrow, but overall the two days can emphasise the scintillating form that Arthur Moore is in on the eve of the festival.

Native Upmanship heads a Cheltenham team from Moore's yard that also includes the County Hurdle hopeful, Phariwarmer, and the Mildmay Of Flete-bound Feathered Leader. But before all that, the Naas trainer could have another bumper domestic weekend.

Conor O'Dwyer will be keen to make up for lost time after his Downpatrick fall last week and he and Moore team up with Tyndarius in the beginners chase, while Moore's son John Daniel is taken to score in the winners' bumper on the Fairyhouse scorer, Hamac 11.

The Navan feature is the £20,000 EBF Novice Handicap Chase Final, with the Moore representative, Lyreen Wonder, topping the weights. Although the winner of his last two, Lyreen Wonder's jumping continues to worry and preference is for Nibalda, especially over this three-mile trip.

Paul Nolan's grey needed this trip over hurdles, and although he hasn't finished two of his last three races, the pace should be more suitable over this longer distance and Barry Geraghty's presence on his back looks significant considering he could have been on others in the race.

Charlie Swan can also successfully warm up for the festival, courtesy of a double in the divisions of the maiden hurdle. Our Bid looked slightly unlucky at Gowran last time, while Park Leader is impossible to oppose in the second leg.

Moore can really go to town at his local track tomorrow with a treble of winners.

Well Ridden disappointed badly when beaten by Aldino at Clonmel but should be much better suited by the more galloping Naas track and is just preferred in a competitive-looking novice hurdle.

Zourito is on a hat-trick and has topweight in the handicap chase but should be hard to beat; while Ellenjay has a perfectly realistic chance in the Powers Handicap Hurdle.

Kieren Fallon ends his four-and-a-half-month stint in Hong Kong, during which he has had 12 winners, at Sha Tin today. It will also be Michael Kinane's last day there.