Harchibald could return at Dundalk
Noel Meade’s popular nine-year-old has performed with credit on his two previous visits to the County Louth all-weather track, finishing first and second.
And due to his dislike of winter ground Meade intends campaigning his four-time Grade One-winning hurdler at the beginning and the end of the season.
“He might take his chance, he’s going to do a bit of work tomorrow and we’ll make our minds up after that,” said Meade.
“This year he’s not going to run over hurdles in the deep ground. He usually starts off in the Tipperary Hurdle (won by Megans Joy on Sunday) but whether he will be fit enough to run on Friday we will see after he works.
“He just can’t go through the soft and Dundalk has worked quite well for him before so we’d be happy for him to run there again.”
Also among the 26 entries are a host of Aidan O’Brien-trained runners including New Zealand, second in the Irish St Leger, and Bashkirov, sixth in the Irish Derby.
Tony Martin’s Cesarewitch winner Leg Spinner, former Galway Hurdle winner Cloone River and Dermot Weld’s Bobs Pride are also entered in the mile-and-a-half event.
Meanwhile Meade’s Aran Concerto looked to have the potential to go to the very top when he was last seen on a racecourse at the Cheltenham Festival of 2007, but an injury kept him off the track for the whole of the last campaign.
However, he is ready to return soon with a novice chase campaign earmarked to begin at the end of October.
“His preparation has been good so far,” said Meade.
“He schooled over 10 fences last week and that went well.
“Everything is going good with him at the moment and I’d say he might be ready to run at the end of month if things keep going right. At the moment they are.
“He’s won on soft and I’d rather run him in that than on quick ground. He’s a huge big horse with big feet so even though he’s a beautiful mover he’d be happy enough on soft.
“He’s done really well for his time off and he looks great at the minute.
“At this time of year we are keeping our fingers crossed for a few that everything keeps going right, but it’s so far so good.”
Today’s meeting at Tipperary has been cancelled.
Officials were forced to take the decision after checking the track this afternoon.
Turf Club press officer Cliff Noone said: “They had a look this afternoon and found there was false ground and waterlogging on the back straight.
“Unfortunately they were left with no other option.”
