Derrymoyle chosen

SOME of our best staying hurdlers are on trial for Cheltenham's Bonusprint Stayers Hurdle in today's Boyne Hurdle at Navan.

Trainer Michael Cunningham has to make up his mind whether to challenge with Derrymoyle for the Champion Hurdle or the long distance race, and should the ground be soft, he may opt for the championship, a race he has already won with For Auction.

Derrymoyle has won over today's distance and is arguably at his best over two and a half miles. It may have been forgotten that he relegated the 4lb-receiving Collier Bay to fourth place, three lengths adrift, when finishing runner-up in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham last March, and Collier Bay on the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown from Hotel Minelta and Danoli.

Danoli may need to improve about 11lb on that promising reappearance to have a winning chance in the Champion Hurdle, but Derrymoyle, who has pace as well as stamina, is also Champion Hurdle material.

Balawhar, who finished a remote fifth in the Irish Champion Hurdle, is on the upgrade, but is held by Derrymoyle on recent Punchestown running, as are Belvederian and Cock Cockburn. Minella Man has not been seen for a long time, and What A Question would be better suited to good ground. Derrymoyle is not opposed.

Brockley Court, who made his big weight pull tell when touching off Klairon Davis at Punchestown, has his chance in the Webster Handicap Chase, and over this distance is preferred to Opera Hat.

Although finishing a well beaten third behind Aegean Fanfare at Tramore, the Aidan O'Brien trained Shuil Le Laoi enjoys a nice pull in the weights and may be good enough to win the Quinns Of Baltinglass Handicap Hurdle.