War returns at Gowran Former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition makes a low-key return to action on Saturday afternoon. Mouse Morris had been concerned about conditions being too quick for the Gowran Park Champion Chase but the trainer is reasonably happy after a visit to the County Kilkenny circuit. Although he faces opponents who are inferior on ratings, the 2006 Cheltenham star needs to show Morris some sparkle if he is to continue his career. War Of Attrition is only 10 but was off the track for almost two years before making a winning return at Punchestown last October. But his form tailed off somewhat and he was pulled up on his most recent start in the Guinness Gold Cup. "I have been down there this morning and they have done a grand job with it," said Morris. "It's quick but it's very flat and the groundsmen have produced a very good surface. If they get the rain they are forecast tonight it will be perfect. "It's only two weeks before he usually comes out for the season but we are just taking it race by race. "If he goes well, we can think about the rest of the season and if he doesn't, he will probably be retired. "He's old enough and his owner Michael O'Leary is very fond of him." Among the rivals for 'The War' in the two-and-a-half-mile Grade Two are other familiar names like Watson Lake and Conna Castle.
