RACING: Colm Murphy's focus will be on Brave Inca in tomorrow's feature, but the Co Wexford trainer also has a Champion Hurdle outsider in Feathard Lady, who can maintain her unbeaten record in today's most valuable hurdle.
Kadoun's presence at the top of the Ladbrokes Handicap means Murphy lets Feathard Lady take her chance here rather than travel to Cheltenham next Saturday for the Bula.
A comeback win over Sky's The Limit at Down Royal last month earned Feathard Lady quotes as low as 20 to 1 for the Champion Hurdle, and if she is to remain at those kind of odds then she will have to run well today.
Paul Carberry takes the ride, and his style should be ideal for a classy mare on the upgrade.
Sky's The Limit can earlier have boosted that Down Royal form in the conditions hurdle. Certainly there doesn't appear to be anything of Feathard Lady's calibre in this, and an easy Limerick win earlier in the season indicated that Barry Geraghty's mount is a better horse this winter.
Steve Mahon provided Stromstad to win the Grade Three Juvenile Hurdle last year, and this time pitches in both Vox Populi and the seven length Punchestown winner Ballygally Bay, who looks a possible winner.
Oscar Brunel put in a decent run behind Black Appalachi at Thurles and looks ready to step up in the Beginners Chase, while Charlie Swan's What A Native can defy a 9lb penalty for winning last time in the Porterstown Chase.
