Istabraq unscathed after tumble

13 April 2012

Istabraq will attempt to erase the memory of his last-flight blunder at Leopardstown on Sunday in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at the course in three weeks' time.

Aidan O'Brien's charge returned unscathed after suffering the first fall of his career in the AIB Agri-Business December Festival Hurdle.

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 looked set for a battle as Stage Affair and Moscow Flyer loomed up to challenge on the outside.

Appearing to take off a stride too soon under Charlie Swan Istabraq took a tired-looking fall, photographer Pat Healy catching the gelding before he could gallop away.

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.

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.

While the Tote kept Istabraq at 10-11 for the Champion Hurdle, Irish bookmakers Cashmans quote the eight-year-old at evens for the Cheltenham contest.