Meade takes double aim at Tipperary

Noel Meade looks set to be double-handed when he bids to win Sunday’s Friends Of Tipperary Hurdle for the second year in succession.

The Co Meath handler saddled his star hurdler Go Native to win the Grade Two prize last season and hopes to run both Aitmatov and Donnas Palm in the two-mile contest this time around.

Grade One-winning nine-year-old Aitmatov has done most of his winning over two and a half miles and more, while Donnas Palm was second to Solwhit in the Irish Champion Hurdle back in January.

“Aitmatov has won over two miles. It might be a shade short for him nowadays, but he’s in good form and the plan at the moment is for him to run,” said Meade.

“Donnas Palm is in good shape as well and he will take his chance. He’s a fair horse on his day and we’re looking forward to running him.”