Weld galvanised by Universe form

Dermot Weld hopes to learn more about about Hidden Universe’s Festival credentials when he lines up in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The five-year-old won the Grade One bumper at last season’s Punchestown Festival and did not come off the bridle when making a winning debut over timber at Leopardstown in December.

Weld admits he has much more on his plate as he steps up to Grade One company this weekend, but the master of Rosewell House is keen to see where he stands in the pecking order of Irish novice hurdlers.

“He runs on Sunday and we’ll see where we go from there,” said Weld.

“He’s a good-ground horse and won on good ground in the championship bumper at Punchestown last April, so very soft ground would not be in his favour.

“Hopefully they don’t get too much rain and hopefully he’ll run a good race.

“He should learn a lot from the race by competing against the best novices in Ireland.

“He’s going an extra couple of furlongs and we’ll just have to see how he handles it.

“This race will tell us a lot and tell us if he’s good enough (for Cheltenham).”

Weld is set to be double-handed in the race with Endless Intrigue, second at Leopardstown over Christmas, also facing the starter.

“Endless Intrigue runs as well. It’s a step up for him but let’s see how we get on,” the trainer added.