Limestone Lad has the edge

Fingers, toes and everything else will be crossed that today's Leopardstown card, perhaps the jewel in the Christmas crown, gets the green light.

A Grade One Chase featuring a French superstar and the cream of Ireland's Gold Cup prospects would normally hog the limelight, but the Ericsson Chase has its work cut out.

Not only is the SunAlliance Hurdle-favourite, Hardy Eustace, in action, but for many the highlight will be the prospect of another epic clash between the country's star stayers, Limestone Lad and Bannow Bay. With 34 career victories and a current hot-streak of four, it isn't often that revenge is on the Christmas menu for the remarkable Limestone Lad, but it is today.

In last year's woodiesdiy.com Hurdle, Bannow Bay edged him out in a classic race. That followed up a win in the race in 2000 for Bannow Bay, who has the clear edge in this event. However, Christy Roche has not been confident in the build-up.

"I think Limestone Lad has the edge for this race because of fitness and soft ground. But come March at Cheltenham I think I might have the edge," he said.

It is easy to understand the trainer's logic. Bannow Bay's only run of the season so far was an encouraging third in a handicap with 12.2 on his back, but in terms of preparation it cannot compare to Limestone Lad's perfect four for four.

Michael Bowe, son of permit holder James Bowe, was worried he had left his stable star "undercooked" for his last start at Navan, but in fact Limestone Lad put in a performance to rank with any in his career. The horse will be at a peak now and, whatever about Cheltenham and the Stayers Hurdle, it looks like Limestone Lad today.

Seven go in the Ericsson, including two horses who have dominated in recent years, Rince Ri (1999-00) and Foxchapel King (2001). However, most interest will be on the former King George-winner First Gold.

His rider Thierry Doumen missed out on a recce ride yesterday and there is sure to be some interest in his performance.

Doumen may be on a tough wicket, however, as First Gold doesn't look quite as good as the horse of two years ago. He ran a decent third in the Durkan at Punchestown, but the bare form of that still means he has a length and half to make up on Rince Ri.

Along with Foxchapel King, Rince Ri represents the old guard, but this Ericsson could be a race for the new boys.

Beef Or Salmon has been forced into this due to problems getting a jockey, but his two for two in graded races has already made him a 25 to 1 shot for the Gold Cup. Timmy Murphy's decision to ride him counts against the Tommy Whittle-winner Sackville, but this still will be Beef Or Salmon's toughest task to date.

One horse that is sure to appreciate testing conditions is Harbour Pilot whose last-fence mistake in the Hennessy cost him dearly at Newbury behind Be My Royal. Proven in very soft ground and probably an improver from a stable in form, Harbour Pilot can boost his Gold Cup hopes with a win.

Hardy Eustace goes in the novice hurdle and the two-and-a-half-mile trip will probably suit him better than the two miles of the Royal Bond where he beat Back In Front.

Plenty Of Ice could give him plenty to do now that he strips a bit sharper than when runner-up to Solerina but Hardy Eustace will be preferred by most.

The Roche-trained Murphy's Retreat, a winner at Punchestown from Laurel View, looks the option in the bumper.

In the opener, there are a number of highly rated horses that could end up trumped by Rob The Five. Arthur Moore's horses have been running well and it was no disgrace for this one to be beaten by Central House at Clonmel.