RACING: Limestone Lad delighted his connections in a work-out at Leopardstown yesterday and remains on track for the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

A star-studded post-race series of gallops included the likes of Florida Pearl, Colonel Braxton and Adamant Approach but it was Limestone Lad who attracted most attention.

After doing a mile and a half under Philip Carberry, his trainer Michael Bowe said: "I couldn't be happier with him. He needed it as he is carrying a bit of condition but that will bring him on a tonne. He can only improve."

Willie Mullins brought a formidable team of horses and it was the old reliable Florida Pearl who led home a group of four that included Adamant Approach.

The quartet schooled down the back and it was Adamant Approach's jumping that most impressed Mullins.

The Co Carlow trainer confirmed that Paul Carberry will ride Adamant Approach in the Arkle at Cheltenham - if he gets there.

"Adamant Approach blew very hard and it's getting a bit late in the day for doing more. But that may bring him on. He missed about 10 days because his blood wasn't right. I was delighted with his jumping," Mullins said.

Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride Azertyuiop in the Arkle and explained: "It was a tough call. I just hope I've picked the right one." Of Florida Pearl, Mullins said: "We won't make a decision until later but he certainly didn't discourage me. He is a tough horse to get by in a work-out."

Dermot Weld confirmed Stage Affair, who schooled with Harbour Pilot, will be aimed at the Arkle Trophy and the former flat champion Pat Smullen will ride Govamix in the Bumper.

"To ride at Cheltenham is always something I've wanted to do. It should be a great experience," said Smullen.

Tony Martin worked the Pierse Hurdle-winner Xenophon and afterwards said the horse will run in the Coral Cup and will be ridden by Mick Fitzgerald.

Earlier it was a rueful Michael O'Brien who greeted Kadoun after a 25-length victory in the novice chase.

"I'm raging I didn't enter him in something at Cheltenham, one of those amateur races. He's a small horse but he has really taken to fences," said the trainer who was also thinking of the horse's future handicap mark.

"I was going to organise him for the Galway Plate but that's messed that up. He was knackered over hurdles off 135," O'Brien added.

Fota Island carried the John Magnier colours to success in the maiden hurdle and it was revealed yesterday that the Magnier's have bought a share in the Tony Mullins-trained Festival Bumper hope McGruders Cross. The horse will be ridden at Cheltenham by amateur, JP Magnier.

Jenniferjo earned herself a tilt at the Irish Grand National with a smooth success for the Fahy family in the Mick Holly Handicap Chase. Trained by Pat Fahy for his Sandyford-based cousin Joe, Jenniferjo bloomed in the sun to justify favouritism from the topweight Timbera.

It was enough to have Fahy dreaming of big race glory and he said: "The fact she might be good means we'll have a look at the Irish National. Every jockey who's ridden her like her to jump and she's only coming right now."

Jenniferjo had won the Ballsbridge Hurdle last year but that was comparatively uneventful to yesterday where Talking Tactics eventually came out on top.

The pace setting Laoch Na Mara fell at the second last and as a result five horses approached the last in contention.

The favourite Dashing Home faded on the run-in leaving Statim to lead but that mare again looked to be less than in love with the game and Talking Tactics scored by half a length. Christy Roche doubled up when Selby Road won the bumper.