Limestone and Ned to clash Limestone Lad will bid to put an end to Ned Kelly`s winning run in the Morgiana Hurdle over two miles at Punchestown tomorrow.James Bowe`s prolific winner has to concede 3lb to Ned Kelly, who has been successful in all of his seven starts over hurdles, in the Grade Two contest.Trainer Edward O`Grady reported Ned Kelly, second favourite for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle with most layers, to have come out of his reappearance at Down Royal last week 'superbly'.Connections of Limestone Lad had originally been considering the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Navan on Sunday, but Michael Bowe, who does the training of his father`s nine-year-old, was taken aback to find the gelding had been given 12st 7lb and opted instead for Punchestown.In a small but select field for the Morgiana Hurdle, Limestone Lad and Ned Kelly will be joined in the line-up by Youlneverwalkalone, who has not raced since winning the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park in February, last year`s Ladbroke Hurdle winner Mantles Prince, Balla Sola and Best Wait.
