IT'S a pity that Imperial Call is not fit enough to contest the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown on Friday but trainer Fergie Sutherland is confident he will have recovered sufficiently from his hard fall in the Punchestown Chase to bid for a repeat success in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup over the course on February 2nd.

The haematoma and superficial cuts he sustained on his elbow when he fell has cleared up but he has some deep bruising on his quarters which is being treated by laser.

At least all is set fair for Danoli in Thursday's Denny Gold Medal Chase. He pleased trainer Tom Foley when schooled over nine fences at an undisclosed race course on Friday and all connections fear for Thursday is tacky ground, hated by Danoli and most other horses.

Danoli was expected to complete his hat trick of chase victories at Fairyhouse early this month but failing to rise properly to the third fence, fell heavily. It's to be hoped he will not repeat the same silly mistake on Thursday when among others he meets the Paul Webber trained Land Afar and the progressive Jeffell.

Land Afar ran Mulligan to a neck in a novice chase at Sandown last time out and that followed a five length success in a six runner chase at Kempton before which he ran Celibate to six lengths at Cheltenham. He was a good hurdler and clearly has a future over fences.

Danoli might well develop into a top class chaser and I sincerly, hope he does but he will need more experience and this time at least I suspect Jeffell will have his measure.

Arthur Moore and Frank Woods have prospects of a treble with Digin For Gold in the Waifos Maiden Hurdle and Amble Speedy in the Paddy Power Dial A Bet Handicap Chase.

Diggin For Gold was a 20 to 1 chance when finishing a staying third behind the promising Ask The Butler in a 28 runner maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse and should be the better for the experience.

Amble Speedy was all but knocked down by a sharply veering rival at the second last fence at Thurles but recovered to win by five lengths. He stays forever and this trip will suit.

Trainer Michael O'Brien has produced some top flight three and four year old hurdlers and Greenhue will be mooted as a Triumph Hurdle proposition should he win the Denny Juvenile Hurdle.

He was beaten just over a lengths' and a half by Spirit Dancer and Highly Motivated at Fairyhouse but met with interference between the last two flights and is now better off with both rivals. Evriza and Tax Reform appear held but I expect Grimes to improve and Christy Roche's charge may be the one Greenhue has to fear.

Noel Meade may have the answer to the Kerry Spring, Maiden Hurdle with Saving Bond.