Stiff test for Le Coudray

Le Coudray is being dropped straight into the Grade One deep end for his first race over fences and has been immediately installed a 5 to 2 favourite to win at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

The 1999 Stayers` Hurdle runner-up will make his chasing debut in the Drinmore Chase, where he will be up against the impressive Navan scorer, Macs Gildoran, and some of the cream of Ireland`s novices.

Le Coudray hasn`t had a race since December 11th, 1999, and in the meantime has switched from Aidan O`Brien`s yard to Christy Roche`s, but his new trainer is not worried about inexperience finding out the ex-French horse.

'I`m very happy with Le Coudray`s jumping. In fact, jumping is the advantage of this horse, it`s his strongest point,' Roche said yesterday.

The Curragh trainer will also run Risk Accessor in the Drinmore, but Youlneverwalkalone, who was left in among the big-race entries by mistake, will instead make his own chasing debut in the beginners` chase on Saturday.

Jockey plans for Le Coudray have yet to be finalised, although Conor O`Dwyer is first choice if available. However, Cashmans are taking no chances with the newcomer and make Le Coudray, who won five of his six hurdle starts in Auteuil, their 5 to 2 favourite ahead of Macs Gildoran on 3 to 1.

Roche also confirmed that Like-A-Butterfly will run in the Royal Bond Hurdle, leaving her stable companion, Yeoman`s Point, to run on Saturday, and is confident his yard is now over the virus that caused a partial shut down some weeks ago.

'They all ran super at the weekend and I would say we`re now clear. Like-A-Butterfly has had a run and is fine but a horse like Bannow Bay may take a run,' he said.

Bannow Bay is one of just seven left in the Hatton`s Grace Hurdle, where Limestone Lad is a best-priced 7 to 4 favourite with Paddy Power to repeat his Morgiana Hurdle victory over Ned Kelly.

Also preparing to line up against the 1999 winner is the mare, Liss A Paoraigh, who is likely to be the choice of jockey Charlie Swan over Bannow Bay.

There has been a depressing aftershock to Sunday`s Morris Oil Chase with the news that the beaten odds-on favourite Micko`s Dream faces months on the sidelines through injury.

The winner of 14 races ruptured a fetlock tendon on his off-fore and is currently at a veterinary hospital on the Curragh. Trainer Willie Mullins admits it could be Easter before the horse returns to action.

Lincolnshire trainer Steve Gollings will saddle the four-year-old Castleshane (Tom Scudamore) for the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.