Boy on comeback trail

Blueberry Boy’s comeback will be rather overshadowed by that of Kicking King in Sunday's Normans Grove Chase, but not for his trainer Paul Stafford.

The nine-year-old provided the County Dublin trainer with his only winner of last season in the Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown.

Blueberry Boy went on to be placed in two Grade One races but has not been seen since falling when still in contention in the Swordlestown Cup back at Punchestown at the Festival meeting in April.

“He’s doing well and he hasn’t run because of one or two niggly problems,” said Stafford.

“We tested his blood a few times and it just did not seem to be right and we could not put our finger on why it was happening.

“It now seems to be fine when we have tested it and he might run on Sunday, but he’s not a definite runner.

“It was the first entry we have made and we just put him in to see what came up. With a horse like him, there are not many races you can run in, and you can’t really avoid horses like Kicking King.

“There are no real plans, just to either run this weekend or in the Tied Cottage at Punchestown in two weeks’ time.”