Midtown Boy can add to Meade’s tally

NOEL MEADE, who has enjoyed a fine start to the season with 29 winners to his credit, can supply us with a winning nap in the shape of Midtown Boy in the Membership 2010 Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

The evidence thus far is that the five-year-old may be no star, but has shown enough to indicate this contest is well within his compass.

The selection has only run three times, getting off the mark at the second time of asking in a modest bumper at Navan in March.

Midtown Boy then reappeared over flights at Punchestown last month, taking fifth behind Some Present.

Meade’s charge was noted finishing strongly, after getting it badly wrong at the penultimate obstacle.

Meade could also supply the answer to the Course Signage Beginners Chase with the long-absent Gem Daly.

He hasn’t been seen for 600 days, not since making little show at the Cheltenham Festival last year.

The eight-year-old is a smart horse at his best, however, and it seems significant his shrewd handler now asks him to return over fences and three miles.

Meade can hardly harbour too many worries regarding Gem Daly’s fitness and it is well to note he has won first time up on both seasons he has raced.

Meade’s Asigh Pearl, beaten into second by Printing Copper at Wexford, is the form horse in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Novice Hurdle.

Preference, though, is for Enda Bolger’s Arabella Boy, who has a bit to find, but may be capable of improving past the mare.

The four-year-old landed some tasty wagers, when getting off the mark at Wexford 11 days ago, and is the choice to take this rise in grade in his stride.