FAST ground at Haydock means that Collier Bay is likely to defend his AIG Europe Champion Hurdle title on Sunday. Jim Old, his trainer, is keen to get a run into the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle favourite this weekend, and unless there is rain at Haydock before they race there on Saturday, a trip to Leopardstown seems certain.

David Nicholson's Zabadi also might be switched to Leopardstown because of the Haydock ground, while Reg Akehurst's Bimsey is another who is engaged in both races.

Aidan O'Brien is likely to run both Theatreworld and Urubande, and Charlie Swan has yet to decide which of the pair he will ride. Cockney Lad, Dardjini, Escartefigue and Notcomplainingbut are the others who make make up the nine strong possible field.

Imperial Call is an absentee from the Foxrock Handicap Chase after an injury scare during a work out at the Curragh last week. There is, however, good news about another Gold Cup entry, Harcon, who is expected to make his reappearance after being off the track since finishing lame when Unplaced at the Punchestown Festival in 1995. He was then the leading novice in the country and had earlier lost his unbeaten record over fences when finishing second to Brief Gale in the Sun Alliance Chase.

Danoli, a close up third to Collier Bay in last year's AIG Champion Hurdle, appears to have frightened away likely contenders for the Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup. Only seven have been declared for the race, but they do include Mulligan, who has developed into a high class novice chaser since being sold out of the Mouse Morris stable to join that of David Nicholson.

. Jim Culloty yesterday looked on the bright side as he entered his fourth month off since suffering a badly broken ankle.

Last season's champion amateur resumed riding out for Henrietta Knight just over a week ago.

But despite a long stint at the rehabilitation centre at Lilleshall, Culloty, 23, doesn't expect to be back race riding until the end of the month.