War Of Attrition ready for combat

Boxers are supposed to never come back, though some have, for better and for worse. Horses, with no notion of glory or lucrative contracts, are another matter. If injury intervenes, the memory and associations of pain can linger, and compromise an animal's willingness to compete. Nearly all horses will give of their best if they are not hurting physically or mentally, Duke Of Marmalade being a remarkable example this season. Freed of discomfort after two screws in a pastern, put there to repair a fracture, were realigned, he was able to fulfil his proper, glorious potential.

Happily for top-class chaser War Of Attrition, his own leg problem – a strained tendon – was also the subject of expert attention and the results of stem-cell regeneration, rest, recuperation and patience continue to be visible. Last month, after a 658-day layoff, the 2006 Gold Cup winner made a successful return to action; yesterday he continued his comeback trail with another confidence-boosting victory, at Thurles.

But it is today that will be the more important dawn, when trainer Mouse Morris runs his hands down that precious leg, fearing signs of the heat that might mean recurring damage, hoping for cold hard sinews. "This win is another step on the ladder," he said yesterday, "I've no plans in my head at the moment, not until I see how he is in the morning."

On his best form, and under the conditions of the two-mile, six-furlong contest, War Of Attrition was entitled to toy with yesterday's opposition at the undulating Co Tipperary track, and toy he did. Davy Russell took a tow from Strong Project until the fourth-last obstacle, when a soaring leap by his nine-year-old partner sent him from a length adrift of the leader at take-off to a length in front on landing.

From then on, the 2-5 favourite went clear, coming home an ears-pricked eight lengths ahead of Carrigeen Kalmia. The next options, either the Betfair Chase at Haydock against Kauto Star later this month or the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown in early December will represent much more of a crucible.

The authoritative performance by War Of Attrition, who carries the colours of Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary, prompted some bookmakers to trim his odds for a second Gold Cup triumph to 16-1, but most kept their offers at 20-1 or higher.

Another to shrug off physical vicissitudes yesterday was Character Building, who won at Towcester on his first outing since finishing third to subsequent Gold Cup hero Denman in last year's Hennessy Gold Cup. Pulled hindquarter muscles was the sicknote but the only pulling this time was on Dougie Costello's arms as the grey zestfully carried topweight to a length success in a handicap hurdle.

Trainer John Quinn's reaction mirrored his colleague Morris's. "Thrilled," he said, "but we'll wait to see how he pulls out in the morning before making any definite plans. But another crack at the Hennessy is an obvious option."

Pevensey, the Malton trainer's representative in tomorrow's November Handicap at Doncaster, will miss the race after suffering a slight setback. The gelding had been third market choice for the Flat turf season's last hurrah; the strong market leader among the 23 runners remains Luca Cumani-trained top-weight Presvis. At the other end of the handicap the second favourite, Clive Cox's charge Electrolyser, made the cut with none to spare.