Shield will relish longer trip

Shield, who has run well of late both on the flat and over flights, can land the [e-mail] Maiden on the all-weather tonight.

The five-year-old was last seen in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas, chasing home the smart Willie Mullins trained Sure Reef.

Prior to that, Shield appeared to be given a little too much to do when beaten three and a half lengths into second by Ballyadam Brook on this track.