Limestone Lad likely to stay over hurdles

Limestone Lad will run over hurdles at Christmas and looks to be in line for a more prolonged spell over the smaller obstacles later in the season.

The James Bowe-owned and trained star lost his unbeaten chasing record behind Sackville at Fairyhouse earlier in the month, an experience that neither the horse nor his connections enjoyed.

Bowe's son Michael said yesterday: "My parents have not enjoyed the horse chasing. They are living on their nerves over each fence and they are terrified about seeing him hurt. The horse was over careful at Fairyhouse, didn't enjoy it, and we didn't enjoy watching him.

"He will run in the Woodies DIY Hurdle at Leopardstown (Dec 28th) and I want to see him get his confidence and enthusiasm back. He will stay over hurdles until I feel he is back to his best and enjoying it. I'm still of the opinion he has not been anywhere near last year's form and probably the transfer to fences has had something to do with that."

Limestone Lad is a 10 to 1 shot with Paddy Power for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham in March.

Asked if those who have backed the horse for the SunAlliance should worry, Bowe replied: "I would say not to panic. But the Stayers' Hurdle is there as well and at this stage the Stayers' Hurdle doesn't look as competitive as the SunAlliance. However, there are plenty of options open with this horse."

Limestone Lad was runner-up to Bachannal in last season's Stayers' Hurdle on unsuitably quick ground and would be a leading contender for the race again if taking his chance.

Limestone Lad won last year's renewal of the Woodies race at Leopardstown with Shane McGovern in the saddle. Barry Cash has ridden the horse in his steeplechase starts but no definite decision has been taken yet on who will partner Limestone Lad now that he reverts to flights.

"He has won his first four chases, which is far from a disaster. Nobody can knock him as a total failure and he will go back over fences at some stage. But he has been giving the fences plenty of air and before he goes back to them I want him to get his enthusiasm back," said Bowe.

"My father has been trying all his life to get a horse like him and now he has him he wants to mind him. It's not as if we can afford to go out and buy another horse as good," he added.

John Murtagh will ride the Joanna Morgan-trained One Won One in Sunday's Mile race at the Hong Kong International meeting. He will also be on Daliapour, who is having his final start for Michael Stoute in the Hong Kong Vase, while Stoute also runs Greek Dance with Murtagh up in the Hong Kong Cup.