Luska switches to the Flat

Luska Lad warms up for the Fairyhouse and Punchestown Festival meetings by having his first run under Flat rules at Tipperary tomorrow evening in the hotly contested 1m6f conditions race.

The Flemensfirth gelding is part of a rare group to have won four bumpers, and has continued to be a great servant over hurdles scoring three times in Grade 2 company last season including at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting.

Last time out the seven-year-old was bidding to land the Red Mills Trial Hurdle for the second successive year when going down by three and a half lengths to Dunguib.

There are 15 declared for the Tipperary event including the Dermot Weld-trained pair Galileo's Choice and Cashelgar who are both rated over 100, as well as dual-purpose performers Pittoni and The Bull Hayes.

“The trip could be a little bit sharp for him, and if it was over two miles I'd be a lot happier. But I'm expecting a good run and it will put him spot on for Fairyhouse where he'll either run over two and a half or three miles. The plan is then to go for the two miles Champion Hurdle at Punchestown,” said trainer John “Shark” Hanlon.

He added: “I don't think he'll have any problem getting three miles as he stayed all the way to the line over two and a half at Punchestown having only run two days earlier at Leopardstown after Christmas.”

Fairyhouse is also on the agenda for stablemate Viking Splash, who won well at Gowran Park last month having previously been unlucky to come down when clipping heels with On The Fringe after the last in the Raymond Smith Memorial Hunters Chase at Leopardstown.

“He'll go for the Joseph O'Reilly Hunter Chase at Fairyhouse (Tuesday April 26). He's in great form and I'm expecting him to run a big race,” said Hanlon.

The Bagenalstown trainer is looking forward to stablestar Hidden Cyclone going over fences next season following a novice hurdle campaign which yielded five wins from six starts over trips from two miles to 2m7f.

“He's out now for the summer and is in great from. He had a great season with five wins from six and was not disgraced in the Grade 1 at Leopardstown (beaten less than a length by First Lieutenant). He's already schooled brilliant over fences and I'm thrilled with him.”

Alan Magee