Iktitaf primed for return

Iktitaf, one of a number of Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hopes for Noel Meade, heads a list of nine

entries in the Grade Two Byrne Group Plc Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday.

The five-year-old, who was last seen winning the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in December, missed the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown earlier this month due to a minor setback.

“Iktitaf runs on Sunday and is 100%,” confirmed Meade, whose charge is a leading contender in the Anglo Irish Bank-sponsored feature at the Cheltenham Festival.

“When he came home from England he was OK – he didn’t really get held up at all. He possibly could have run, but we couldn’t take our chance with him at the time.

“He’s in good shape anyway.”

Tommy Stack’s recent Cork winner Tolpuddle and the John Carr-trained Sublimity look big dangers in a potentially hot event, as does John Kiely’s Ceeawayhome after registering convincing back-to-back victories at Cork and Punchestown.

Meade has also entered Masrahi, who was last seen finishing a disappointing 24th in the Pierse Hurdle.

Mounthenry, a three-time winner over hurdles this term, Mise En Place, Quel Doun and Thyne Again complete the field at the five-day stage.