Trafford to take Grade One chance

THIS SEASON'S top staying novice Trafford Lad will attempt to secure a second Grade One prize in a row when he lines at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Trainer Dusty Sheehy confirmed yesterday that his stable star will take his chance in the €100,000 Knight Frank Novice Chase over three miles on the third day of the festival.

Trafford Lad landed the Drinmore at Fairyhouse on his last start and was also a Grade One winner over hurdles last season. That Drinmore victory propelled him to the head of the SunAlliance Chase ante-post betting where he is currently a 12 to 1 co-favourite.

Any fears about testing conditions at Leopardstown were being downplayed by Sheehy who reports that the horse has done well since his Fairyhouse victory.

"He has improved a good bit for the race. He was struggling to beat the horse he works with before Fairyhouse but he is beating him easily now," Sheehy said.

"We don't think heavy ground will inconvenience him. Obviously he would like it better but the plan is definitely to run," he added before postponing a decision on who will ride Trafford Lad.

Ruby Walsh was on board the horse on his first two chase starts but was on the sidelines for Fairyhouse when Tom Doyle successfully stepped in.

"I don't know yet who will ride. We don't know about Ruby's availability but Tom Doyle is there too and gave him a great ride the last day," Sheehy reported.

Walsh was at Leopardstown yesterday to help promote the Christmas festival. A total of €1.4 million in prize-money will be available over the four days and crowds of up to 60,000 are expected. There will be no reserve enclosure this year. Admission will be €20.

There will be Irish interest in tonight's black type flat action at Kempton when Eddie Lynam and Kevin Manning team up with Duff who goes in the seven-furlong Sunbury Stakes. The Listed event has also attracted the Dundalk specialist Finicius, the mount of Fran Berry.

Also in action on the all-weather will be the Lynam-trained juvenile The Age Of Anxiety in the opener, while Finicius' stable companion Choir Singer goes in a mile-and-a-half handicap.

Donard Lodge goes for Pat Martin in the six-furlong conditions race and other Irish interest in the race will come from the Emmanuel Hughes-trained Newpark Style.