Istabraq should be up to this challenge

It has to be said he is a superstar. Only true superstars have their every step monitered to such an extent. Istabraq might be used to the close circuit TV in his stable at Ballydoyle staring at him but every step he takes seems to reverberate much further.

How else to explain the frenzy of comment and doubt that has surrounded this remarkable racehorse in the last 10 months.

Think back to March and the bloody nose that almost gave heart failure to every race fan in the country on the eve of Cheltenham. Then think back to New Year's Eve and the brief horror that surrounded that fall before Istabraq, thankfully, stood up sound. Throw in the rumour mill that went into overdrive on Thursday and which caused a suspension of ante-post betting on tomorrow's race. Stir it all together and what do you get?

Well if you believe the bookies, we have the first AIG Hurdle that won't be a benefit stroll for Istabraq.

"We have a price of 1 to 2 and we're quite happy to lay that," a Paddy Power spokesman said yesterday. Considering Istabraq has won this race as a 2 to 9 favourite, and against an opposition no worse than tomorrow's, the question is what price would he be had he not had that fateful slog in the bog three weeks ago.

The Paddy Power spokesman had an answer for that too. "At least 1 to 4," he said. Which means if you believe Istabraq's fall was just a temporary blip, then you can bet ahead of the game. But tomorrow's race is all about finding out if that was just a blip.

Dermot Weld, trainer of the second favourite, Stage Affair, believes it was, which is hardly great news for those looking for something to take on the favourite. His theory is that Istabraq got very tired on very testing ground after a very long time away from the racetrack. And that's a very valid argument that probably won't stop even Istabraq's greatest fan from being just a little bit apprehensive.

That apprehension stems from the triple champion hurdler, winner of 21 of his 25 races, looking almost mortal when he battled up the Leopardstown straight against Moscow Flyer, Stage Affair and Mantles Prince. Istabraq actually looked weary which, for a horse that has always sluiced his way through mud, was a bit of a shock.

Of course, that might be just a welcome reality bite to those who have taken his winning appearances over the past four years for granted. Istabraq's record is a remarkable one and a tribute to O'Brien and his Ballydoyle team. Maybe the horse was just due a blip and that's all there is to it.

Hopefully Istabraq will bounce back to winning form tomorrow, but if he doesn't, then there will be seismic shift in the ante-post market for Cheltenham's Smurfit Champion Hurdle. He is currently generally quoted at 4 to 6 for March 13th and to retain that position he will have to take care of the usual suspects from New Year's Eve.

Judged on their flat careers, Stage Affair would eat Istabraq for breakfast, but this isn't the flat. Having said that, on reasonable ground the Weld runner can reasonably be expected to reverse the form with Moscow Flyer, and if a flaw has somehow dug its way into the favourite, Stage Affair looks the one most likely to benefit.

But all eyes will be on Istabraq. After all, it's the lot of the superstar.

Youlneverwalk, in the same ownership as Istabraq, is a doubtful runner.

His trainer, Christy Roche, said yesterday: "I had a dilemma and I wanted him to run at Haydock but I thought it was best to declare for both races. However, he will only run at Leopardstown in the event of something preventing Istabraq from lining up."

Today's postponed Down Royal card has been switched to Wednesday, with the addition of the Powers Gold Label Series Handicap Hurdle from Friday's abandoned meeting.