NEWS: IT WILL be back with the old and in with the new on a star-studded Winter Festival card at Fairyhouse on Sunday with the former champion hurdlers Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace set to be joined by a host of potential novice stars.
A total of just 25 entries remain in the three Grade One events but they include the unbeaten bumper champion Cousin Vinny, who could make his jumping debut in the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, as well as a hugely exciting crop of young chasers in the Drinmore Novice Chase.
Only eight entries remain in the traditional centrepiece, the Hatton's Grace Hurdle, but they include last year's first two, Aitmatov and Sweet Kiln, who fought out a memorable finish 12 months ago, as well as the country's top-rated stayer Kazal.
However, a lot of attention is likely to centre on the veteran pair of Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca with the latter returning from injury for his start in a year and a half.
The 2006 Hatton's Grace winner pleased in a final serious piece of work last week and his trainer Colm Murphy said yesterday: "I couldn't be happier with him but knowing him he will be better for the run. He's a bugger to get fit even though he has been back in since the end of June.
"I wanted to get a couple of runs into him before the Morgiana but a few niggly problems stopped that. He will be better for the run but he is as ready as I can get him and I expect him to go well."
Tony McCoy won the Hatton's Grace on Brave Inca two years ago but he is suspended while Ruby Walsh is on the injury list. Barry Geraghty, another jockey to have ridden the horse in the past, could be committed to Kazal so no final jockey plans for Brave Inca's comeback have been made.
His old rival Hardy Eustace won the Morgiana in memorable style under Paddy Flood earlier this month and the pair will be back to the scene of where the 2004-'05 champion hurdler won his first Grade One prize in the 2002 Royal Bond.
However, Sunday's race could be something of a swan-song for Sweet Kiln, whose form so far this season was described by trainer Michael Bowe yesterday as "pretty dismal".
Sweet Kiln was tailed off behind another of Sunday's contenders, Catch Me, in the Lismullen at Navan and Bowe reported: "I expected to be making a phone call to the Turf Club the following day with a reason but we found nothing. All I can think of is that's female, she's getting on and she has her moods. "On her recent form she has no chance but we can find no reason not to run her. She has worked very well and there aren't many opportunities left. She will be going to stud and we will make a decision about when around Christmas time. The Hatton's Grace is a race that has been good to us so we see no reason not to run."
Bowe has won the race six times with Limestone Lad (1999-2001-'02) and Solerina (2003-'04-'05).
Initial ante-post reaction from Sunday's big race sponsors, Bar One Racing, makes the Lismullen winner Catch Me a 13 to 8 favourite with Hardy Eustace rated his main danger at 100 to 30. Paddy Power make the veteran Dessie Hughes-trained star their 9 to 4 market leader.
There will be huge interest in the possible appearance of Cousin Vinny in the Royal Bond and the chances of the Cheltenham and Punchestown bumper hero going straight into Grade One company appear to be high after just eight horses were left in the race yesterday.
"That is certainly inviting. It might turn out to be a fair opportunity for a spin first time out," Willie Mullins said yesterday. "Hurricane Fly is in the race too and I'm happy enough for him to run but Cousin Vinny has entries in some maidens as well. We will see."
A total of nine entries remain in the Drinmore but it is a star-studded collection of competitors with Forpadydeplasterer joined by the likes of other Grade One winning hurdlers like Aran Concerto, Tranquil Sea and Trafford Lad. Tony Martin has also left in his smart hopeful Northern Alliance.
Forpadydeplasterer's trainer Tom Cooper said: "Things have gone according to plan and the step up to two and a half should be a help. He has been working well and won't be out of place in this race."
Aran Concerto is a strong 11 to 8 favourite with Powers but Bar One have gone with Tranquil Sea as their 11 to 4 market leader.
The ground at Fairyhouse is currently soft with soft to heavy patches. Caroline Grey, the track manager, doesn't foresee much change by the weekend. "There is no significant rain forecast and it will be cold and dry on Sunday. There will be fresh ground on both days,"
FAIRYHOUSE BETTING - Bar One Racing Royal Bond: 7-4 Cousin Vinny, 9-4 Donnas Palm, 5 Vital Plot, 11-2 Fisher Bridge, 10 Hurricane Fly
Drinmore: 11-4 Tranquil Sea, 7-2 Aran Concerto, 4 Northern Alliance, 9-2 Trafford Lad, 5 Forpadydeplasterer, 14 Bar.
Hatton's Grace: 13-8 Catch Me, 100-30 Hardy Eustace, 7-2 Kazal, 7 Aitmatov, 12 Brave Inca and Muirhead, 14 Bar.
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