Racing: Istabraq the target

DAVID EVANS yesterday forecast that Master Beveled will give Istabraq a fight on Sunday. The Welshpool trainer's charge finished four lengths adrift of the Champion Hurdler at Cork three weeks ago but he is expecting a better show when the pair meet again in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

"I do believe that Master Beveled is good enough to finish a lot closer to Istabraq on Sunday," Evans said. "At Cork I thought Tommy Treacy had given him too much to do but Tommy said that the horse got stuck in the soft ground. With better ground in prospect, I'm looking forward to the race."