Meade keeps faith in Harchibald

Noel Meade is satisfied with Harchibald’s condition after his eagerly-awaited reappearance in the Tipperary Hurdle on Sunday.

The seven-year-old was making his first start since recovering from an injury that cut last season’s campaign short.

But despite being sent off the well-supported 4-9 favourite, he was unable to make a winning comeback.

Having travelled well for much of the Grade Two contest, Harchibald faded entering the straight and finished fourth to Scarthy Lad.

“He’s pretty good, a tiny bit tight behind but that has nothing to do with his injury before and he’s no worse than most horses are after they’ve run,” Meade explained.

“Admittedly, I was inclined to think he was fit enough but he does this to me every year as he is a very good horse and works so well.

“It’s not until he goes to the racetrack that I realise he’s not as fit as I thought he was, especially on soft ground.

“He’s run in that race three times now and won it last year but he was quite lucky there as Solerina fell at the last when she had him well beat.”

Meade confirmed his charge is likely to remain over hurdles, at least for this season, rather than embark upon a chasing career.

“I don’t think we will (go chasing) now to be honest, not this season anyway, as he jumps hurdles so well and he’s within a shake of being a champion hurdler,” he told At The Races.

“He’s a nice, fine horse and I’m sure he would jump fences but there’s no reason for us to move away from where he is at the moment.

“There’s plenty of races for him and hopefully he’ll be as good as he ever was.”