Istabraq makes it all look too easy

It's a case of as you were following Istabraq's comeback victory at Tipperary on Saturday. Some bookmakers stuck their heads over the parapet with even-money quotes for the Champion Hurdle in March and Istabraq's class was such that it almost seemed value.

The figures were impressive. A third successive win in the £60,000 John James McManus Hurdle brought Istabraq's career total over hurdles to 18 victories from 20 starts. In the process, he gave Limestone Lad 6 lbs and a seven-length beating but as so often with Istabraq, the real impression was how easy it all seemed.

"He's a freak really. He just has so much ability," said Charlie Swan, who was attempting the impossible task of trying to convey what it's like to ride such a dominant champion. "Once he gets upsides a horse, he goes into overdrive. The turbo just cuts in."

Swan described Limestone Lad as one of the best horses in training, but Istabraq appeared never out of second gear throughout to beat him. Clearly not even close to being fully wound up, Istabraq tracked Limestone Lad to the second last where he sauntered alongside.

Any hopes that the supporters of the admirable rival had were summarily dismissed after the last when one brief nudge from Swan ensured a hero's welcome in the winners' enclosure.

Owner JP McManus said his predominant emotion was relief. "I've been sweating in my box!" he grinned before complimenting Aidan O'Brien on Istabraq's condition.

"Charlie rode him the other day and said he felt stronger than last season. Physically, he looks to have matured more and he loves the game and takes it so well which is a wonderful job by Aidan. Hopefully he will follow the same route as last year," McManus said.

That route should include the Hattons Garden Hurdle at Fairyhouse, a spin around Leopardstown at Christmas, the Irish Champion Hurdle and then a tilt at a third successive Cheltenham Champion Hurdle. That would place Istabraq alongside legends such as Persian War and Sir Ken and Paddy Power on Saturday cut Istabraq's price to do just that from 4 to 5 to 8 to 11. Based on Istabraq's latest display, it was hard to blame them.

Stage Affair has a long way to go to match those sort of achievements, but he kept his unbeaten record with an easy defeat of Quintus in the Novices' Hurdle.

"Hopefully he is as good a novice as there is around," said Dermot Weld's son Mark, who added: "He thrives on racing and jumping really seems to have switched him off at home. He'll go to Fairyhouse probably and then we'll find something at Christmas."

"Unreal" and "unraceable" were some of the riders' comments about the ground following the novices' chase, but It's Time For A Win has the Dennys at Christmas as a target following his late rejuvenation to pick off Shannon Gale close home.

Dermot Weld's Make No Mistake faded to finish eighth in the Group One BMW Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, Australia, on Saturday. Despite being troubled by a hoof ailment in the lead up to the race, the raider raced prominently before fading at the business end.

Sunline (6 to 1), the star New Zealand filly, made all to beat Melbourne Cup hopeful, Tie The Knot, by a length and a half in the fifth leg of the Emirates World Series Racing Championship.