Morris Ready To Go To War

Mouse Morris is hoping War Of Attrition can defy his inexperience to lift tomorrow´s Irish Independent Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham. The six-year-old, who is 3-1 favourite with William Hill, will be having only his ninth career start tomorrow - and Morris admits it is a worry against more experienced rivals.

'There´s no question that he´s something special, it´s just his inexperience would be a slight mark against him for tomorrow,' he told At The Races.

War Of Attrition will be making a second trip to Cheltenham after finishing a gallant runner-up in the Supreme Novices´ Hurdle last season.

Things have not gone smoothly since, though, as after War Of Attrition won on his jumping bow at Thurles, he suffered a slight chip in his splint bone which kept him off the track until last month.

'He had a fracture after winning at Thurles. It ended up being minor, but he was stood in his box for six weeks and he had only been back in training for six weeks when he won in Naas,' he said.

'He travelled over today, he´s well and I´m looking forward to him running in the race.'

War Of Attrition is one of seven Irish raiders, with Noel Meade sending out both Watson Lake and Sir Oj.

Watson Lake claimed the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase last November but he had a slight muscle problem after that and did not run again until last month.

The seven-year-old returned in style, though, when beating odds-on favourite Ulaan Baatar in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase, and Meade is sweet on his chances.

He said: 'He is in great form and is really, really well.

'He has travelled over great and settled in fine. I was a bit worried that he might be a bit buzzed up, but he is not.'

Watson Lake has yet to encounter any conditions quicker than good on the track, but Meade expects him to handle the ground at Prestbury Park.

'He has done all his winning on soft ground, but he is such a good mover that I don´t think the ground will bother him, and I really don´t think the ground will ride that quick,' he added.

Sir Oj tackles the Grade One event rather than taking up an alternative engagement in the Jewson Novices´ Handicap Chase on Thursday.

The eight-year-old cut no ice when fifth behind Ulaan Baatar in the Irish Arkle last time and Meade admits he favoured Thursday´s race. He explained: 'He is in great form and I was leaning towards the handicap myself, but the owner was quite keen for him to take his chance in the Arkle.

'He is in grand shape and apart from his last run he hasn´t done anything wrong all season, and he is entitled to be in there.'

Meade has a strong team including Champion Hurdle hope Harchibald in action tomorrow, but he added: 'I´d say Watson Lake would be my best chance as he has looked impressive so far. But the other horse isn´t out of it.'

Ulaan Baatar will try to put his lacklustre run in the Flyingbolt Chase well behind him when he lines up tomorrow.

No excuses emerged for that 20-length defeat, but trainer Jessica Harrington believes Ulaan Baatar is ready to bounce back.

'He just wasn´t 100 per cent last time. He seemed to have an off day, but hopefully he can put that behind him,' she said.

'He looks like he is back to his best from the way he has been working, but it does look to be a very good race tomorrow.'

The eight-year-old is another who has shown his best form on testing surfaces, but Mrs Harrington is confident he can handle better ground.

'I think the quicker ground will probably suit him as he is a very good moving horse, so I am hopeful it won´t provide a problem,' she added.

Limerick Boy, who ran in the Champion Hurdle last year, reappears after winning the Pendil Novices´ Chase at Kempton last time.

The seven-year-old is a general 25-1 shot but Andy Clifton, managing director of owners Favourites Racing, believes he could be a value bet.

He said: 'Limerick Boy is in the form of his life. The only question mark is the track, although he was fifth at Cheltenham in a novice hurdle only five days after making his hurdling debut and ran well until the top of the hill, despite losing two shoes, in last year´s Champion Hurdle.

'If the Arkle was run on a flat track like Kempton or Newbury he would be half the price he is now. I think 20 or 25-1 is way too big.'

Limerick Boy is one of two runners for trainer Venetia Williams as she also has 66-1 outsider Mambo Des Mottes.

Irish Independent Arkle Trophy betting:

William Hill: 3-1 War Of Attrition, 7-1 Contraband, Watson Lake, 15-2 Ned Kelly, 10-1 River City, Mariah Rollins, 12-1 Ulaan Baatar, 14-1 My Will, 16-1 Kadount, 22-1 Ashley Brook, Made In Japan, Limerick Boy, 25-1 Sir Oj, 40-1 Supreme Developer, Town Crier, 50-1 Steel Band, The Last Cast, 66-1 Mambo Des Mottes, Mondul.