Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition is on course to make his third start of the campaign in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown next Sunday.

The Mouse Morris-trained seven-year-old scored on his debut at the same track in October, but suffered a shock reverse when gunned down late on by nine-times Grade One winner Beef Or Salmon last month.

No excuses were put forward for his defeat that day and Morris is happy with his condition ahead of next weekend's race.

"I'm taking it one race at a time, but all being well he will go for the Lexus Chase at Christmas, and I am hoping the ground won't be too soft, " said Morris.

"The King George was a consideration, but I am not keen on travelling him. He may come across for it next year.

"After Christmas we will give him the same break as last year and bring him back for Cheltenham."

SOLBERG'S HOPES OF WELSH WIN DENTED

Petter Solberg's hopes of a fifth consecutive Wales Rally GB victory suffered a major blow yesterday. The Norwegian, whose four wins put him alongside Hannu Mikkola as the two most successful drivers in the event's history, lost half a minute to leader Marcus Gronholm on stage seven, the first of day two.

Resuming 25.8 seconds behind the Finn, Subaru star Solberg dropped to third place behind Austria's Manfred Stohl having suffered understeer problems.

SOLSKJAER AWAITS LARSSON'S ARRIVAL

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed the imminent arrival of fellow Scandinavian Henrik Larsson has sent a ripple of anticipation through Manchester United's star-studded dressing room.

Even though the 35-year-old's 10week stay is only due to encompass 13 matches, such is Larsson's record at Celtic and, latterly Barcelona, many feel he could have the same kind of impact as Eric Cantona did when he landed at Old Trafford in an equally spectacular deal 14 years ago.

"When you hear someone like Henrik is coming in, a buzz goes around the dressing room, " he said.

"In terms of out"eld players, he must be the best Scandinavian player of the last 10 or 15 years, certainly since Michael Laudrup. I am really delighted he is coming and am already looking forward to meeting up with him."

STORM MAKES MOST OF CALM CONDITIONS

Englishman Graeme Storm and Australians Kim Felton and Marcus Fraser braved difficult conditions at the Gulf Harbour Country Club in Auckland yesterday to share the lead at five-under heading into the final day of the New Zealand Open.

Blessed with an early tee-off time, Storm made the most of his chances on the way to a blistering six-under-par 65.

Teeing off in sunny, calm weather, Storm, who started the day at one over, got away to a flying start with an eagle three on the second hole.

Backing up his early success, he then proceeded to card four further birdies to catapult himself up the leaderboard.

DUDEK TO RETURN TO GREATEST STAGE

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed Jerzy Dudek will be given the opportunity of an emotional return to the stadium that made him a world star.

Eighteen months ago goalkeeper Dudek was the hero of Liverpool's Champions League "nal victory over AC Milan in Istanbul's Ataturk Stadium.

Now with his Liverpool contract ending in the summer, the Polish star desperately wants to play on Tuesday when Liverpool return to the Ataturk to face Galatasaray in their "nal group C match.

"We will use youngsters and different squad players in Istanbul, but Jerzy will play, " Benitez confirmed.

RUSSIA FORGE AHEAD IN DAVIS CUP FINAL

Russia took a 2-1 lead over Argentina in the Davis Cup final in Moscow yesterday with a convincing win in the doubles rubber.

Marat Safin teamed up with Dmitry Tursunov to beat David Nalbandian and Agustin Calleri 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

Nalbandian looked out of sorts for most of the game . . . he was broken twice in the first set and again in the second . . . as Russia eased to victory.

Today's decisive singles matches see Safin take on Juan Ignacio Chela and Nikolay Davydenko facing Nalbandian.

LOUTH QUALIFY FOR ALL IRELAND SCHOOLS FINAL

Louth qualified for the final of the All Ireland Vocational Schools 'B' football final against Tipperary with a 2-6 to 1-8 win over Roscommon in Mullingar yesterday.

There was never much between the teams, but Louth looked the likely winners at the interval when they led by a point . . . 0-5 to 1-1 . . . with the wind behind them for the second half. The Roscommon goal had come from a Liam Taylor penalty.

However, for much of the second half Roscommon were in command until goals from Kevin Rodgers and Mark Collins brought Louth back in contention. A point from corner forward Dean Matthews two minutes from the end of normal time sealed victory for the Wee County.

FBD SPONSORSHIP OF RAS CONFIRMED

One of the longest sponsorships in Irish sport will continue next season when, for the 24th successive year, FBD Insurance will back the cycling Ras in Ireland.

Race director Dermot Dignam confirmed yesterday that the company will stay on board, helping to guarantee that the eight-day event will attract the same strong international field in 2007.

RAYMOND KANE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED

The death has occurred in Dublin of former Irish golf champion and internationalist Raymond Kane. He was one of the great group of northDublin players centred at the Island and Malahide golf clubs in the 1960s and 1970s and he was renowned as one of the greatest exponents of matchplay golf.

Largely tutored by his late father Peter, himself a "ne amateur, Raymond Kane won the Irish Amateur Close Championship in Ballybunion in 1971 and again at Portmarnock in 1974.

He played 60 matches for Ireland between 1965 and 1979, winning 24 and halving 5.

He turned professional as a senior player and enjoyed some modest success and he was a member at The Island Golf Club and an honorary member of The European Club.

He had been ill for some time but his passing, at age 61, still comes as a shock to family and thousands of golfing admirers. May he rest in peace.