Racing:Jessica Harrington could be double-handed in the AIG Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown at the end of the month. Harrington is aiming both ACC Bank Champion Hurdle winner Macs Joy and Royal Bond winner Hide The Evidence at the Grade One event.
And with Brave Inca, Hardy Eustace, Asian Maze and Lounaos also being considered for the race, a cracking contest is in prospect.
"He was never going to be ready for the Morgiana so then we had him all set for the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle," said Harrington of Macs Joy. "The ferry was booked and everything but on the Wednesday before he pulled a muscle and he couldn't go.
"We hoped to get him back for Christmas but he wasn't ready in time so we are now preparing him for the AIG.
"Despite what else is being aimed at the race, he is definitely in the mix as well. He is working at the moment but you just have to be careful after they pull a muscle, it is not like a human being who knows how much they can do.
"With a horse you just have to play it by ear and see how they are and one tends to just always err on the side of caution. It could be good news for him (that he has not run yet) as he will be fresher than most like last season," she said.
"Once we get the AIG out of the way he may go to the Red Mills at Gowran (February 17) and then hopefully he'll be spot on for the big day at Cheltenham in March."
Harrington also confirmed that Hide The Evidence is a possible despite being a novice.
"Hide The Evidence could be appearing in the AIG as well," she added. "He didn't surprise me when he won the Royal Bond as he had been working very well at home and he had already beaten Bobs Pride at Roscommon.
"Every race he has won, even though he started off lowly, people have said he was lucky to win. We got him to settle in the Royal Bond and he quickened up well from the last."