O'Brien delighted

Champion hurdler Istabraq and three-time runner-up Theatreworld delighted Aidan O'Brien in a pre-Cheltenham workout at Ballydoyle yesterday.

"My three horses for Cheltenham all had a nice canter this morning and I am very happy with them. We are nearly there now," said their trainer.

Istabraq's rider, Charlie Swan, will also be on O'Brien's third Festival runner Darapour, whose target has yet to be finalised . "Darapour will probably be declared for the Ladbroke Casinos Hurdle Final on Tuesday, and may well be left in the Coral Cup the following afternoon as well," O'Brien said.

Compatriot Generosa will be ridden by owner's son Tim Hyde, an amateur, when she attempts to repeat last year's win in the Casinos Final for trainer John Hassett.

Coral Welsh National winner Edmond is set to sidestep the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Tuesday due to the drying ground.

However, Daly will still be represented in the race by Star Traveller. He is coming back from a winter break having made his last racecourse appearance at Cheltenham on New Year's Eve when second to Strong Tel.

Daly is also not happy about the drying conditions for his Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle hope Behrajan but said: "We will make a decision about his participation when we see the track on Tuesday."

Tremallt will line-up alongside stable companion Act In Time in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup after pleasing trainer Tom George yesterday. The nine-year-old gelding sustained slight stone bruising while being prepared for last month's Racing Post Chase, which also put his Festival run in doubt for a while.

The Tony Martin-trained Ships Decanter gave the Irish a boost on the weekend before the Cheltenham Festival with victory in the Duke Of Gloucester Memorial Hunters' Chase at Sandown yesterday.