Limestone Lad may gallop at Leopardstown
Trainer James Bowe's son and assistant Michael confirmed yesterday that the evergreen 11-year-old will be the stable's only challenger at the Cheltenham Festival, following the defection of Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle hope Solerina.
Solerina had appeared to book her ticket for the Festival with an all-the-way victory in a Grade One event at Leopardstown earlier this month her sixth win on the bounce.
But the effects of a leg infection have now forced connections to rely upon Limestone Lad for Festival honours.
"I wasn't happy with her and gave her antibiotic treatment," Bowe jnr told attheraces.
"It did the trick with the infection but it knocked her off-colour and knocked her appetite.
"I suppose we have had a trouble-free season with them both up until now so it was hoping a bit much for them both to get to Cheltenham OK.
"At least Limestone Lad is back in good form now. He worked well at Thurles and he could work again at Leopardstown on Sunday."
Bowe scotched fears that fast ground could hinder the chances of his charge at Cheltenham.
"The last time he ran there (when second in the Stayers' Hurdle three years ago) it was good to firm and he handled that well," Bowe said.
"It would be to his advantage if it was heavy but he is 11 now, he's been through it all and at this stage I've given up worrying about him."
