Racing: Harchibald is one of a string of interesting entries in the Castlebellingham Race at Dundalk on Friday evening. Noel Meade's popular nine-year-old has performed with credit on his two previous visits to the County Louth all-weather track, finishing first and second.
And due to his dislike of winter ground Meade intends campaigning his four-time Grade One-winning hurdler at the beginning and the end of the season.
"He might take his chance, he's going to do a bit of work tomorrow and we'll make our minds up after that," said Meade.
"This year he's not going to run over hurdles in the deep ground. He usually starts off in the Tipperary Hurdle (won by Megans Joy on Sunday) but whether he will be fit enough to run on Friday we will see after he works.
"He just can't go through the soft and Dundalk has worked quite well for him before so we'd be happy for him to run there again."
Also among the 26 entries are a host of Aidan O'Brien-trained runners including New Zealand, second in the Irish St Leger, and Bashkirov, sixth in the Irish Derby.
Tony Martin's Cesarewitch winner Leg Spinner, former Galway Hurdle winner Cloone River and Dermot Weld's Bobs Pride are also entered in the mile-and-a-half event.