The people's champion in perfect shape to defy all comers

IN FOCUS/Limestone Lad: Win, lose or draw, tomorrow morning Michael Bowe will load his horse up, make for Rosslare and head back to the reality of the 300-acre family farm in Co Kilkenny.

After months of tension, pressure and hardly daring to hope, it's a comforting thought. Back to reality and the comfort of home. Everyday stuff, the kind of stuff everyone can understand.

It's that Everyman quality that ensures Irish eyes will be focusing at least as much on this afternoon's Bonusprint Stayers Hurdle as the Tote Gold Cup.

The Gold Cup is the blue riband, but even if Beef Or Salmon wins it, the roars will not eclipse the delight should Limestone Lad come out on top. It sounds crass, but the 11-year-old really has become the people's horse.

That's not just because of 34 race victories from 62 starts and just twice out of the placings.

There is also the way he does it, all attitude and in your face defiance. Even Istabraq once succumbed to it, and the crowd still cheered. Istabraq provoked more than a little awe, but with Limestone Lad it has always been affection.

Mind you, Bowe has had more excuses than anyone to lose a little of that liking. Knocked unconscious, put in hospital, broken bones - Limestone Lad has done it all to him, but the pride which the 40-year-old trainer-farmer feels in the horse is all too obvious.

"He calls the shots and thinks. I'm his slave, but he is the best thing that has ever happened to this family," he says.

The family are James and Phyllis Bowe, who bred and own the horse; Michael, who trains and rides him out every day; and five brothers and sisters who are Limestone Lad's greatest fans.

Mind you, they have competition. The horse has attracted his own fan club and there is even talk of a book. He has become a little bit of phenomenon.

"We have lost some privacy but it's not that bad," says Michael Bowe. "It's down to your own attitude how you handle the whole media thing. It's best to remain positive and welcome the attention."

It's a policy that has paid off well in most places - except for Cheltenham.

We have been here before after all. In 2000, the horse arrived in a swathe of publicity as the inheritor of the "plucky little guy" role which Danoli had patented. Except the script went all complicated and ended in a narrow victory for Bacchanal.

Foot-and-mouth ruled out revenge the following year, and 12 months ago an injury that could have ended his career ruled out another return. In the meantime, the Stayers division welcomed a new force in Baracouda.

"He's a serious horse, seems to be speed, speed, speed. Any horse that can come from off the pace like that is a danger. I was amazed where he came from last year to catch Bannow Bay," Bowe declares.

One difference now compared to three years ago, however, is the presence of Paul Carberry on Limestone Lad's back. Shane McGovern couldn't claim on Limestone Lad against Bacchanal, and the eventual winning margin was frustratingly narrow.

"The role of a jockey around Cheltenham can't be over estimated. Paul has great experience and knows his way around there. He'll know when to kick and when to hold on," he adds.

Tactically it will be intriguing to see how Thierry Doumen and the other jockeys in the field will play their hands against Carberry.

Limestone Lad's usual style isn't exactly subtle, and if there is a contest for the pace it could leave a lot of them struggling to get home.

"It could be hectic but I will leave the tactics up to Paul," says Bowe, who has performed wonders to have his star in the form of his life at 11 years of age.

"His form suggests he is better than ever this season and it's a relief that we have been able to get here," he adds.

Three weeks ago it seemed that festival bad luck could have been kicking in again when Limestone Lad coughed for six days. But for once fate went with him at this time of year.

A cold snap of weather zapped the bug from his system and left the Bowe's dreaming again. Only the coldest heart would wish them a trip home without the perfect end to that dream this time.

Limestone Lad "didn't turn a hair" during his ferry crossing yesterday and arrived at Cheltenham in good shape. After dehydrating badly and not eating during his last trip to the festival three years ago, the Bowe team decided to leave his transfer to Cheltenham as late as possible.

"We landed at Pembroke and everything went fine. He didn't turn a hair," reported John Bowe, son of permit holder James Bowe.