Racing: Wexford trainer Colm Murphy has issued an upbeat bulletin on Feathard Lady after x-rays on her injured leg came back clear.
The unbeaten six-year-old, who was last seen winning the Christmas Hurdle at Sandown, has sprained her off-fore fetlock joint and will definitely miss the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 29th.
But the favourable x-ray results mean the mare could make the Cheltenham Festival, where she is a leading fancy for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.
Murphy said: "We are hoping it's nothing too serious but it is quite tender and sore. Luckily enough the x-rays and so forth are all clear.
"At this stage, it's just giving her time and all the attention she requires. The next couple of days will tell us exactly where we are going - we are hopeful she won't be out too long.
"It's just a case of giving her a bit of time to heal. We were just afraid of pushing on in the hurdle race (the AIG) and doing some real damage."
In contrast, Murphy expressed his delight at Brave Inca's well-being after his rousing defeat of Harchibald in the December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown last time out.
The eight-year-old is on course for the AIG later this month and also the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, for which he is a general 4-1 chance.
"He's in great form and came out of the Bewleys race extremely well," Murphy said.
"It's all systems go for the AIG and I couldn't be happier with him. He'll be going to Cheltenham in March, all being well. Hopefully we'll get a clean run and get him right for the Champion Hurdle."
Henrietta Knight's Racing Demon continues his preparation for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy when facing 10 rivals in the Concha Y Toro Wines Novices' Chase at Ludlow tomorrow.
The six-year-old will be having his first outing since capturing the Grade Two Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown last month when beating Hoo La Baloo by four lengths.
Knight has bypassed other suitable options for her smart novice, who is as low as 5-1 for the Festival, with the insistence that jockey Timmy Murphy is on board.
"Everything is fine with him at the moment and we just needed to find somewhere to give him a run."
Thursday's race will be Racing Demon's first attempt at two and a half miles over fences and Knight admitted she would have rather kept him to the minimum trip at this stage.
"It isn't ideal for him but nothing is ideal at the moment, we just can't find the races," she continued.
"I don't think Ludlow is going to be the ideal track for him either with it being quite tight - I think a bigger track and bigger fences would have been better in the long run.
"I just hope he doesn't take too many liberties at his fences but he should act around there alright."