Jered chasing Fairyhouse honours

Noel Meade is hoping the decision to skip Cheltenham with Jered will pay off tomorrow in the Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Novices Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The six-year-old is owned by JP McManus, and as he already had Captain Cee Bee and Binocular for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival, the first two home, Jered stayed in his box.

But tomorrow’s Grade Two event, in which he will face only five rivals including stable companion Narquois, would look the ideal opportunity for him to continue on the upgrade.

“He’s in good form and we skipped Cheltenham because he is one of JP’s and he can only win the race once,” said Meade.

“I was more keen to have run him in the County Hurdle but when the ground became as tacky as it did we were pleased he didn’t run. The ground should be fine for him tomorrow though.

“Narquois has had a couple of blank runs but we don’t really know why, we were inclined to blame it on the ground but I don’t know if that is right. He’s certainly not a bad horse and he’s well capable of getting involved, he’s in good form.”