Stage set for Leopardstown

Stage Affair is to be aimed at the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 26 following a promising run there on Sunday.

The nine-year-old finished second to Liss A Paoraigh in the Evening Herald December Festival Hurdle in his first race over timber following almost two years on the sidelines.

His only racecourse action since finishing fourth to Istabraq in the AIG Hurdle in January 2001 had been a pipeopener in a staying handicap on the Flat at Leopardstown in November when he was unplaced behind Bubble N Squeak.

“He’s come out of his race in great form and goes for the AIG,” said trainer Dermot Weld today.

“We were pleased with his comeback run the other day.”

Weld revealed that Stage Affair, who also was second to Istabraq in the AIG in 2000, would be entered for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

“He will be entered, but we are taking it one day at a time with him,” said the Curragh trainer.

Weld is also considering sending Stage Affair novice chasing.

“We’ll make a decision one way or the other after the AIG,” he added