Hourigan has high hopes for Dancing Tornado
The nine-year-old did not jump fluently on his latest appearance in the Kerry National at Listowel, but he flashed home to finish second.
“He ran a good race at Listowel and I think he was a shade unlucky really, but these things happen,” said Hourigan.
“He came out of the race very well and seems in very good form, so hopefully he’s the one they have to beat.”
Hourigan has also left Mossbank in tomorrow's contest, who has been off the track since the 2008 Punchestown Festival due to injury.
“I was going to run Mossbank at Listowel as well but I didn’t want to risk him on ground that was too good so I pulled him out,” Hourigan continued.
“I suppose there’d be a doubt about him for Sunday as well as it’s taken us two and a half years to get him back and we’re not going to throw it all away.
“He’s well in himself but obviously after the problems he’s had we take it one day at a time and we’re just hoping they get an inch or two of rain.”
Adrian Maguire’s Golden Kite disappointed in the Kerry National but the trainer is expecting an improved performance this weekend.
“We fancied him going to Listowel but a couple of things went wrong on the day,” said Maguire.
“He missed the break and was very slowly away ion the race. There was a faller at the first which unbalanced him and then there was a faller in the straight, where he was very lucky that he wasn’t brought down.
“He got totally detached and the ground wasn’t ideal for him either, so it just wasn’t going to happen for him.
“He came back in one piece though and is extremely well. He has experience around Limerick and seems to like the place, so we’re hoping for a very big run.”
