Golden Cross looks one to follow

RACING / Weekend previews: Tomorrow's Fairyhouse feature has only five runners but each of them brings a rather special story to the Ballymore Properties Hatton's Grace Hurdle with Golden Cross maybe the one to provide the most unlikely winning finale of all.

Irish racing history is littered with names who have managed to ride top-level winners on the flat and over jumps but Golden Cross's jockey John Murtagh will be trying to emulate such legendary riders as Tommy Carberry, Frank Berry, Martin Molony and Aubrey Brabazon.

Most of them were principally jump jockeys but the sight of a three-time Epsom Derby winning rider in a Grade One jumps race certainly brings an added edge to tomorrow's star-studded card.

Murtagh (35) has already ridden two winners over flights since the flat season ended a month ago and what began as an exercise in keeping his weight down now takes on a much more serious edge.

Golden Cross himself hasn't raced over hurdles in 21 months but Michael Halford's charge comes here on the back of a win in the November Handicap and with his trainer convinced that the two and a half miles on soft ground will be ideal.

"Charlie Swan rode him as a juvenile hurdler and always said he wanted a trip. It will be his first time at two and a half and it should suit," said Halford who has no doubts about his jockey booking. "It was a very easy decision. Johnny has ridden Golden Cross before and has been riding well over hurdles. I'm glad to have him."

Like all his opponents, Golden Cross is already a Grade One winner having sprung the greatest shock in Grade One racing history with a 66 to 1 victory at Leopardstown in 2003. Initial dismissals of that as a fluke could prove very premature by 2.15 tomorrow.

Solerina sets the benchmark in this race having won it for the last two years and was backed into 7 to 4 joint favouritism with Brave Inca yesterday. Along with Limestone Lad's three victories (1999-2001-2002) she will try to continue James Bowe's remarkable domination of a top-flight event. "I only hope she is as good as the last two seaons and she does seem in good form," said Bowe's son Michael.

Solerina is likely to try to go off in front but will do well to confirm the Lismullen form with Back In Front who should strip fitter this time. The latter's best form is on good ground, however, and Brave Inca's trainer Colm Murphy has stated all week he would rather not be running at two and a half. In contrast there are only positive vibes coming from the Golden Cross camp and those who availed of the 12 to 1 earlier in the week look to have got the value.

The Bet@Bluesquare Royal Bond Novice Hurdle has a habit of throwing up champions such Hardy Eustace (2002) Like-A-Butterfly (2001) and Moscow Flyer (1999.) O'Muircheartaigh is already being credited with a big future and certainly a winning jumping debut in a Graded race at Navan only added to his huge reputation.

Edward O'Grady's horse is already odds-on for tomorrow and if he is as good as he is supposed to be then the most interest could come from listening to cross-channel commentators getting to grips with his name. Maybe a straight-forward "Moriarty" is their best hope!

Mansony is the ante-post market leader for the day's other Grade One race, the Pierse Group Drinmore Novice Chase, but it could be that Chruch Island's greater experience will swing things his way. Michael Hourigan's novice has already carried the Beef Or Salmon colours to victory at Cheltenham and the drop back in trip should not be a problem.

A pair of Grand National winners feature in the three-mile handicap hurdle but Hedgehunter and Numbersixvalverde will be not be fully wound up for this and maybe Al Towd represents better value while Back To Bid's jumping debut in the maiden hurdle is eagerly-awaited.