Racing: Noel Meade has reported his Tolworth Hurdle absentee Iktitaf fine after an examination on returning to his yard in Navan.
The Grade One winner was due to go off a short-priced favourite at Sandown but he was an 11th-hour withdrawal after he became cast his in his box.
"He got a bang on his hock while he was in his box which was enough for us to pull him out, but he is fine now," said Meade.
The gelding had previously accounted for O'Muircheartaigh in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in early December but Meade was unsure of Iktitaf's next likely target.
"I really don't know where he'll go next as I haven't had chance to have a look that far forward as our plan was Sandown on Saturday and take it from there. The important thing is that he is fine."
Meade also had news of Wild Passion who was beaten into second behind Arteea, despite him being an odds-on favourite.
"I think a lot of Wild Passion's problems this year can be put down to the ground," said the handler. "He has shown top-class form at Cheltenham and Punchestown on genuine good ground and the common denominator on all his mediocre runs seems to be very heavy, sticky ground."
The gelding also ran in blinkers for the first time on Sunday and despite the disappointing run Meade wouldn't be against using them again.
"I certainly wouldn't rule out using them again and we'll see if they have an effect on better ground."