Intersky Falcon seeking third Christmas Hurdle

Seven rivals stand between Intersky Falcon and a third victory in the Stan James Christmas Hurdle at Sandown Park on St Stephen's Day.

Jonjo O'Neill's smart performer took the Grade One contest in 2002 and again the following year when it was run at Kempton. However, he has been plagued by breathing problems and has not won since the 2003 renewal.

But at Cheltenham earlier this month he ran his best race for some time to finish under two lengths second to Champion Hurdle favourite Harchibald. The latter bypasses Sandown in favour of a tilt at the bewleyshotels.com December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown on Thursday.

The decision to keep Harchibald at home delighted Intersky Falcon's connections.

Terry McDermott, for the gelding's owners interskyracing.com, said: "Harchibald not running gives us a bit more of a chance.

"The horse is in great nick. We are looking forward to it and Jonjo couldn't be more pleased with him.

Al Eile was another Irish horse to be withdrawn at the final declaration stage. The five-year-old will now wait for the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock Park next month, his trainer John Queally confirmed. Following the defection of Harchibald and Al Eile, the unbeaten Feathard Lady will be the sole Irish representative in the £100,000 contest.

Colm Murphy's mare stretched her winning run to six with a comfortable success under top weight in a Fairyhouse handicap 20 days ago, but she faces a massive step up in grade on Monday.

"It's so far so good with her," said Murphy. "It's a big ask to be going over there, but it's the next thing for her. I was delighted with her at Fairyhouse and we are hopeful of a big run. I don't see why Sandown shouldn't suit her, she's straightforward so I don't see that being a problem."

Trabolgan's connections, meanwhile, have decided to rule the horse out for the rest of the season following the problems that surfaced after his victory in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.

The decision was made to play safe and rest the seven-year-old, who carried top weight of 11st 12lb to victory in the big handicap chase at Newbury a month ago.

"Having spoken at length with Trabolgan's owner Trevor Hemmings and the vets, we have decided to give the rest of this season a miss," trainer Nicky Henderson said.

"It is precautionary more than anything and luckily he is a young horse with half his career still ahead of him. "We re-scanned him and there is the most discreet evidence in one of his legs that there could be something amiss, so we decided not to take any chances."