Tomorrow's card at Leopardstown justifies the term star-studded. A Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup clash between Imperial Call and Dorans Pride, the second chasing appearance of the potential superstar, Florida Pearl, and a host of other Cheltenham hints means that the £30,000-guaranteed jackpot is almost certain to be exceeded. However, there is no doubt about the highlight.
Describing any race, never mind a Grade One chase, as a match is hazardous, but it's hard to escape the cliche in the Hennessy. Both Dorans Pride and Imperial Call are rated almost a stone better than their nearest rival, Merry Gale, and the other five, including the English pair Hermes Harvest and Go Ballistic, look to be out of their depth. The result is a clash between two supremely talented racehorses that is as puzzling as it is intriguing.
Dorans Pride is rated 2lb the better, but the dark shadow of a desperately disappointing effort at Naas last time looms all over his chances. Imperial Call has yet to convince that he is back to the brilliant best which enabled him to take this race and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1996. Whichever dismisses the doubts tomorrow, though, will undoubtedly travel to Cheltenham as the main Irish Gold Cup hope.
Yesterday, Michael Hourigan admitted Dorans Pride's Naas flop is on his mind. "Nothing was found to explain it and it's a huge concern. I'm happy with him now but I was happy before I went to Naas, too. I will let the horse do the talking on Sunday," he said.
In contrast, Fergie Sutherland is going into the race in a much more positive frame of mind. "The horse is exceptionally well, really bouncing. I couldn't be happier with him," he said.
Before that Naas fiasco, it was hard to disagree with the seeming majority, and indeed the handicapper, who rate Dorans Pride as currently the superior of the two, but now it looks a different story.
Imperial Call, after a series of infuriating problems, didn't look his old self last season, but after losing to Dorans Pride at Clonmel in November, he hasn't looked back. A weary-looking win in the Ericsson can be explained by the effects of an admirable second to Cockney Lad over hurdles a week previously, and, crucially, Imperial Call has had a trouble-free run to tomorrow's race since then.
In contrast, Dorans Pride was forced to miss the Ericsson, flopped at Naas, and no explanation was found for it. In terms of preparation, then, Imperial Call has had the fortune and, significantly, the grapevine has been buzzing that he is coming back to his best.
If that is the case, a peak-form Imperial Call is impossible to oppose. When winning the Gold Cup as a seven-year-old, the West Cork horse looked an animal of almost freakish talent, possibly a match for any horse seen this decade. Dorans Pride may yet reach those heights, too, but for the moment, a watching brief on him looks the more sensible option.
Florida Pearl's probable SP in the PJ Moriarty Memorial Chase means that, for many, a watching brief will also be the only option. Considering he has run only four times, including one point-to-point, and faces quality opposition in Boss Doyle and Hill Society, it only proves what an impression he has made. Fatuous comparisons have already been made with Arkle, but Florida Pearl's trainer Willie Mullins has already been moved to make comparisons with the champion his father trained, Dawn Run.
Such claims will be tested tomorrow when Florida Pearl will have to jump at a competitive pace alongside the unbeaten Boss Doyle and classy Hill Society, but such is this horse's potential, he too is impossible to oppose.
The Deloitte and Touche Novice Hurdle is always a significant festival trial and this running is no exception, with the Supreme Novices Hurdle hope, French Ballerina, taking on a number of SunAlliance fancies, led by Foxchapel King.
This trip is a nice middle ground, but Foxchapel King impressed many good judges when beating Native Estates by three lengths here at Christmas and is just preferred.
