NEWS ROUND-UP: WAR OF ATTRITION could get the opportunity to settle a score with this Sunday's John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown.
The 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero has twice attempted to win the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One but come up short each time. In 2005, War Of Attrition could only manage to finish fifth behind Hi Cloy, while he was no match for In Compliance when runner-up 12 months later.
Today's five-day forfeit stage will throw light on what the Mouse Morris-trained star may face as he continues his comeback from injury with a third start this season.
War Of Attrition beat the now retired Kicking King on his Punchestown return in October, then followed up easily when a 2 to 7 favourite at Thurles.
Also among the Durkan possibles are last year's winner, The Listener, while the cross-sea challenge could also include the Paul Nicholls-trained Noland, a 12-length victor over Finger Onthe Pulse at Down Royal in October.
The Dessie Hughes-trained Schindlers Hunt is the sole Irish entry among the 13 remaining in Saturday's Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.
The race is dominated by the highest rated chaser in training, Master Minded, but the Queen Mother Champion Chase-winner could have to face the up-and-coming star Tidal Bay, last year's Arkle Trophy winner.
Nicholls has endured several reverses in the last fortnight and speculation continues to rage over whether Sam Thomas will ride Master Minded after a series of mishaps since stepping in for the injured Ruby Walsh.
Nicholls, however, has won the last three renewals of the Tingle Creek, with Kauto Star successful twice before Twist Magic scored under Thomas last year.
In other news, Denis O'Brien, father of Ireland's champion flat trainer Aidan O'Brien, died yesterday morning.
A farmer from Clonroche in Co Wexford, O'Brien was an enthusiastic rider and trainer of point to point horses and estimated he had up to 140 winners in that sphere. He also rode winners in bumpers and over hurdles.
He and his wife, Stella, had six children, and Aidan was their third. The champion trainer has often referred to the influence his parents have had over him and his career.
Denis O'Brien could sometimes be seen accompanying his son at this country's biggest race meetings.
