Istabraq or bust for Leopardstown highlight

Where will the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle be without Istabraq? That is the question that is likely to be answered at this year`s renewal of Ireland`s most prestigious hurdle race.

Istabraq has made the race his own with four successive victories.

But, although he figures among the entries for this two-mile contest two weeks tomorrow, he is unlikely to bid for win number five.

'He has been entered. It`s an option in case plans change,' said trainer Aidan O`Brien. 'But the intention is to train him for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle without another race.'

The Ballydoyle maestro was speaking after Istabraq had made a winning seasonal debut in the Tote December Festival Hurdle, also at Leopardstown.

The 10-year-old did not impress everyone when getting up close home to beat Bust Out by a head. But it was his first race since April when he fell at the final flight at Leopardstown for the second time from three races last season.

A fourth Cheltenham title is the aim having been denied the chance last March because of the foot and mouth epidemic.

O`Brien has a second entry in the eight-year-old Kilcash Castle.

The Strong Gale gelding has been chasing recently but was a smart hurdler last season as he showed when a length runner-up to Ned Kelly at Fairyhouse in May.

Ned Kelly, trained by Edward O`Grady, also holds an AIG entry.

Bust Out and Penny Rich, who was 13 lengths back in third in the December Hurdle, are among the 19 Leopardstown entries.

Bust Out, trained by Jessica Harrington, looks the one to benefit should Istabraq give up the chance of a Europe five-timer.

The six-year-old is definitely on the upsurge with more improvement virtually guaranteed as he has only had seven races over hurdles.

Aidan Burns, spokesman for the BB Horse Racing Club syndicate, who own the six-year-old, said: 'He`ll come back to Leopardstown for the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle first.'

Despite being rated 49lb inferior to Istabraq _ who was certainly not 100 per cent fully wound up _ before that race, the Bustino gelding has few miles on the clock and looks a tip-top prospect.

And trainer Tom Hogan is convinced that one day Penny Rich, who finished third to Istabraq in this race last season and who has also been placed behind Liss A Paoraigh and Ned Kelly, will get lucky and land a big one.

Liss A Paoraigh, who fell at the second flight in the December Hurdle won by Istabraq, is also expected to return to Leopardstown despite hurting a knee.

Trainer John Kiely said: 'She got a bang on the knee when she fell but she`s perfectly sound.'

There is an Irish-trained 10-year-old almost as popular as Istabraq _ Limestone Lad and he could go to Leopardstown.

Effective at any distance between two and three miles, James Bowe`s admirable horse came unstuck against Bannow Bay over the longer trip last time.

But he can never be ruled out having won 28 times and netting #376,000 in total prize-money.

Trainer Nicky Henderson is responsible for three AIG entries, but revealed that Geos was the most likely to cross the Irish Sea.

Geos won both the Bonusprint Bula Hurdle and the Pertemps Christmas Hurdle last season.

However, on his only run so far this term, he made a made a highly-promising British chasing debut when runner-up to Edredon Bleu at Huntingdon.

'Geos, I would think, would be quite likely to go,' said the Lambourn trainer.

Henderson also has Landing Light and Regal Exit in the Irish feature.

Hors La Loi III could represent Newmarket handler James Fanshawe, while Penrith trainer Nicky Richards has put in The French Furze.

Charlie Egerton`s Teaatral is the other British possible.