Limestone confirmed for Naas run Limestone Lad will bypass the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle over two miles at Leopardstown on Sunday in favour of the Bank Of Ireland Hurdle at Naas 24 hours earlier, it was announced last night.James Bowe`s 10-year-old won the Naas event, which is run over two and a half miles, 12 months ago.Explaining the decision the trainer`s son and assistant Michael said: 'He`s going the same route as last year.'He`ll run at Naas on Saturday and then on to Navan next month for the Boyne Hurdle.'He blew a fair bit after working yesterday morning because he had a slight overreach after Leopardstown (second to Bannow Bay on December 28th) and we haven`t got enough work into him since to run in the AIG.'Limestone Lad`s target this season is the Bonusprint Stayers` Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, a race in which he finished second to Bacchanal in 2000.Hors La Loi, runner-up to Istabraq in the 2000 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, also looks set to miss the race.
