SEVEN FACE CHAMP

Istabraq will bid for his fourth consecutive victory in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday when the Aidan O`Brien-trained gelding will attempt to put an end to speculation over his wellbeing.

He was at the centre of a burst of activity in the ante-post market for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle on Thursday as support for his main rivals saw bookmakers William Hill briefly suspend betting on the Cheltenham contest.

However, the triple Champion Hurdle winner was among the eight declarations made today for Sunday`s Grade One contest.

O`Brien`s charge suffered the first fall of his career on his seasonal debut at the Dublin track on New Year`s Eve.

But regular partner Charlie Swan was happy with the gelding after schooling him on Thursday.

The jockey said today: 'I jumped him over six hurdles yesterday. He jumped well and seemed in great form.

'There seemed to be no ill-effects from the fall - he can be a bit brave sometimes.

'He will have come on since then. I`d be hopeful and I`m looking forward to the race.'

And O`Brien added: 'He`s in good form. Charlie came down to school him and said that he seemed back to himself.

'If the ground was very heavy we might have to think twice about running him. I would expect to walk the track before racing, just to satisfy myself conditions were okay.'

Tom Burke, racecourse manager at Leopardstown, reported: 'Our ground is yielding to soft at the moment.

'The forecast is for the possibility of a frost tonight but it is due to rain on Saturday night with milder conditions.

'The rain should clear on Sunday morning to leave a bright, mild day.'

Sunday`s seven rivals include the first three home in the AIB Agri-Business Hurdle, in which Istabraq came to grief at the final flight.

The Jessica Harrington-trained Moscow Flyer prevailed by two lengths that day from Stage Affair with Mantles Prince three lengths back in third.

Istabraq`s owner J P McManus also has Aerleon Pete and Youlneverwalkalone in at Leopardstown, both trained by Christy Roche.

However Youlneverwalkalone is only likely to line up should Istabraq miss the race.

The gelding was also declared for the Red Square And Red Alert Energising Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock, but that meeting was abandoned after a lunchtime inspection.

'I had a dilemma and I wanted him to run at Haydock but I thought it was best to declare for both races,' Roche said.

'However, he will only run at Leopardstown in the event of something preventing Istabraq from lining up.

'He is fit and ready to run and if he misses the race then he has two options next weekend, the Bank of Ireland Hurdle at Naas or the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.'

Sunday`s field is completed by Penny Rich and Moscow Flyer`s stablemate Have Merci.