Racing: Istabraq back on the glory trail

Istabraq begins his quest for an unprecedented fourth Smurfit Champion Hurdle success at Leopardstown tomorrow.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained nine-year-old will face five opponents when he reappears in the Tote December Festival Hurdle.

The 2000 renewal was run in diabolical conditions and Istabraq, who was reported beforehand to be in need of the race, looked booked for second or third at best when falling at the final flight.

Charlie Swan, who has ridden Istabraq in all his 27 starts over hurdles to date, will once again renew his association with the son of Sadler’s Wells.

Triple Champion Hurdle winner Istabraq, who missed out on last season’s event due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, will go off at long odds-on tomorrow when his main rival looks to be Liss A Paoraigh.

John Kiely’s mare has shown improved form this season and beat Limestone Lad at Navan in November before finishing a three-and-half-length second to James Bowe’s high-class performer in a Grade One event at Fairyhouse earlier this month.

The other runners in the race are Aerleon Pete, owned like Istabraq by J P McManus and a possible pacemaker, Bust Out, Penny Rich and Rostropovich.