Racing round-up: Popular mare Sweet Kiln will attempt to claim a repeat victory in the Bank Of Ireland Hurdle at Naas this weekend before her sights are set towards Cheltenham.
Michael Bowe's consistent front-runner is the 11-4 favourite with Coral for the inaugural running of the David Nicholson Mares Only Hurdle at the Festival and the trainer is keen on her chances.
Sweet Kiln trounced Studmaster in this conditions event a year ago on heavy ground, but proved her adaptability on a much quicker surface when winning the woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.
"She's in great order and she's in at Naas this Saturday," said Bowe. "I could not have been happier with her since Leopardstown and it is basically a case of keeping her fresh and well until Cheltenham.
"The mares hurdle is the obvious race for her there. She was initially given a reputation as a mudlark, but she has proved that she isn't one and provided she stays healthy, she should have a great chance at Cheltenham."
Willie Mullins is in no hurry to assign a Cheltenham Festival target for Glencove Marina, who jumped to prominence with a commanding display at Leopardstown on Sunday.
After slamming Finger Onthe Pulse by an easy 10 lengths in a two-mile-five-furlong Grade Two event, the six-year-old was quoted as low as 6-1 for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy.
But Mullins has not ruled out an alternative option in the shape of the Royal And SunAlliance Chase, with stablemate Scotsirish, also successful at the weekend, a possible for the Arkle.
Of Glencove Marina, formerly successful at the highest level over timber, Mullins said: "He, like all my other runners, was fine after racing.
"It was a great performance and he jumped really well. Even from his hurdling days, when he jumped them well enough, he looked like he was crying out for fences and that showed yesterday.
"I'd imagine we will run Scotsirish in the Irish Arkle (January 27) and we'll send Glencove for the Dr.P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Irish Hennessy Day (February 10).
"He'll be entered in both the Arkle and the SunAlliance at Cheltenham and we'll see how he and Scotsirish run in their next races before making our minds up."
Paddy Flood has escaped with cuts and bruises after being knocked out when taking a nasty fall from Do The Trick in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.
The 5-1 favourite was in third place when crashing out at the third-last in the highly-competitive handicap won by Barker.
"I'm not too bad. I'm a bit sore, but OK," he said. "I was knocked out for three minutes, so I'm going to be out of action for 21 days. Then I will have to pass the doctor, but that should be no bother.
"I've just got a few cuts and bruises, but not nothing's broken. It could have been a lot worse. I was taken to St James's Hospital in Dublin, but was allowed home last night. I've had a good night's sleep and am having plenty of rest."