Ireland's star mare Asian Maze could yet end up making a surprise appearance at Navan on Sunday ahead of a Christmas date at either Leopardstown or Kempton.
Asian Maze was one of 16 entries left in the Grade Two Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle over two and a half miles at yesterday's forfeit stage and her trainer Tom Mullins hasn't ruled out a quick retrieval mission after a lacklustre effort in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse just 10 days ago.
The multiple Grade One winner was an expensive odds-on failure behind Brave Inca but Mullins insists that can be put down to the testing ground conditions.
"I think she had her fill of heavy ground for the time being in the Morgiana. I was using that as a warm-up for the Hatton's Grace but although she ran a great race that day, it messed us up for Fairyhouse. She just didn't like it and we won't be running her on heavy ground again for a while," the trainer said yesterday.
"I've stuck her in on Sunday because I want to see how the race turns out and if there was some nice ground, I would definitely like to run. But if it's heavy, she won't go. It will all depend on what the weather does this week," Mullins added.
That determination to avoid heavy going could also see Asian Maze miss out on the December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown in favour of a Christmas date at Kempton.
"It wouldn't worry me in the slightest about going to Kempton if there's heavy ground at Leopardstown," Mullins said. "The ground is usually pretty good over there at this time of year and she is in very good form since the last day."
Among Asian Maze's possible opposition this weekend could be the top chaser Beef Or Salmon who also holds an entry at Fairyhouse on Saturday as well as Rosaker and Brogella who filled the places behind Brave Inca in the Hatton's Grace.
The Grade One feature at Navan will be the Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle in which eight entries could battle it out over the two and a half mile trip.
Noel Meade's highly rated Aran Concerto and another course winner, Footy Facts who landed the Monksfield Hurdle for the Cork trainer Robert Tyner last time out, dominate the hopefuls who also include Le Toscan and Grapevine Sally from Edward O'Grady's yard.
Mick The Man was an impressive course winner for Noel Meade at the last Navan fixture and the horse is one of 11 entries for the Grade Two Glen Dimplex Future Champions Bumper.
The Co Dublin trainer Ado McGuinness will send his stable star Victram to Ascot on Saturday for the £150,000 Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle in an attempt to emulate last season's dramatic Imperial Cup success.
"He did a nice bit of work on Tuesday morning and will be going over on Wednesday night," said McGuinness. "He's gone up a few pounds but the best thing about him is that he never wins by much. He's a hold-up horse and never wins by four or five lengths. The English handicapper has him 4lbs higher than in Ireland but I still think he has a good chance at the weights. I think the ground and the track will suit too."
Today's action at Downpatrick depends on the track passing a 7.30 morning inspection and one man hoping for the green light will be Wicklow trainer Philip Rothwell whose Moody Lad has a 7lb penalty for a course and distance success last time and goes in the first division of the handicap hurdle. Alexander Mobile ran a nice race behind Bobs Pride at Fairyhouse and can complete a Tom Taaffe double in the maiden hurdles.
