ISTABRAQ FALLS ON RETURN

Istabraq suffered both a rare defeat and the first fall of his career when coming down at the final flight of the AIB Agri-Business December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown today.

Making his seasonal reappearance, the three-time Smurfit Champion Hurdle hero was sent off at 1-4 to land a 22nd success over timber.

However coming to the last hurdle he appeared to be in trouble as Stage Affair and Moscow Flyer loomed up to challenge on the outside and he took a tired-looking fall.

Moscow Flyer (5-1) stayed on best under Barry Geraghty to land the spoils by two lengths from Stage Affair (6-1) with Mantles Prince third.

Istabraq and jockey Charlie Swan both appeared to get up quickly.

While the Tote kept Istabraq at 10-11 for the Champion Hurdle, Irish bookmakers Cashmans quote Aidan O`Brien`s charge at evens for the Cheltenham contest.

'He seems OK but I`ll be back up to tell you more later,' was the trainer`s immediate reaction.

A disappointed but unscathed Swan added: 'He felt as good as ever.

'I thought there was every chance he would pick up after the last because he always does.'

The winner Moscow Flyer remains a 25-1 chance for the Champion Hurdle with theTote.

Trainer Jessica Harrington said: 'Moscow Flyer is tough and very genuine.

'He came through a gap I didn`t think was there at the last and we are looking forward to the AIG Europe Irish Champion Hurdle with him.'

Aidan O`Brien is now thinking of running Istabraq in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle back at Leopardstown in three weeks as the horse appears none the worse for his first-ever fall.

'It would be hard to go straight to Cheltenham off that run,' he said.

'The AIG Hurdle would have to be back in our minds now but we will wait and see how Istabraq is and then I will discuss plans with JP McManus,' said O`Brien who said that Istabraq was 'heavier then ever' going into the race.