Well-treated Lord ready for Leopardstown

Karl Thornton is hoping Art Lord can beat the handicapper when he turns out again quickly in the 'Colours Bar' Handicap Chase at Leopardstown.

The 10-year-old is set for a hike in the weights after his easy victory at Ayr on Tuesday and the Skerries handler feels it is in his best interests to try to strike again under a 4lb penalty.

Graham Watters, who partnered the gelding to success at the Scottish track, travels over to Dublin for one ride to maintain the partnership.

"We've been forced to run him, really, as he's due to go up 11lb. The obvious thing was to run if he was all right," said Thornton.

"He travelled home fine. We had him out and there seems to be no ill effects.

"Graham was happy enough to come over to ride him again which is a good sign.

"Hopefully Leopardstown will suit him with the good fences and he seems to save his best for going left-handed also."

Thornton is doubly represented in the competitive 0-123 contest with Bearly Legal up towards the top of the weights.

The consistent Court Cave gelding chased home Clar Na Mionn at the track over Christmas and renews rivalry on 6lb better terms.

"He's been consistent. The ground is probably as heavy as he'd like it but he ran really well there the last day," said Thornton.

"He's carrying plenty of weight but I still think he can be competitive off his mark."

The Sandyford Handicap Chase on the card has also attracted a competitive field and Rogue Trader makes his first start in handicap company after facing some stiff tasks in novice grade this term.

The Tom Taaffe-trained gelding has performed with plenty of credit in three hot contests this season, including when chasing home Douvan at Navan in November.

"I'm looking forward to running him on Sunday. He's fit and well and will hopefully give a good account of himself," said Taaffe. "He should have no problem with the ground.

"He's a big, tall, leggy horse and should improve with time. We'll play it by ear with him and see how he gets on on Sunday."

Down at the bottom of the weights, Eiri Na Casca bids to defy an 11lb hike for a cosy win at Naas last week.

Boher Call, who also landed a nice touch when scoring at Naas a few weeks ago, is another interesting runner for Paul Flynn, while the Tony Martin-trained Pires heads the weights for the two-mile one-furlong contest.