Racing News round-up: Cheltenham might be on the horizon but yesterday's Leopardstown action also provoked plenty of Grand National talk with Hume Castle landing the featured Mick Holly Chase.

The Listed contest was the Aintree warm-up for last year's Irish National winner Timbera who did okay in fifth and Macs Gildoran who didn't get the chance to do nearly as well after being brought down at the first.

However, it is the Grand National of the Midlands variety at Uttoxeter that features in Hume Castle's future as Jessica Harrington chases a third success in the four-mile marathon.

"We believe he stays well so we will stick with the original plan and go for the Midlands National," confirmed Harrington who won the British race before with Miss Orchestra and Intelligent.

The latter was ridden last year by claimer Robbie Power and Harrington expects he will retain the mount on Hume Castle.

"He gets on very well with the horse," Harrington said.

"We knew they would go too quickly for him in the early stages but Robbie got him into a rhythm and I think he appreciated the better ground."

Both Dessie Hughes and Jim Culloty were happy with Timbera's effort with the jockey reporting: "I'm delighted with that considering I was almost brought down at the first."

Another former Irish National hero The Bunny Boiler never got into contention and finished last. Davy Russell took a fall from Bennie's Pride at the first and was stood down for 48 hours.

Liverpool rather than Cheltenham is also featuring more prominently in the thinking of the Paddy Mullins team for yesterday's Ballsbridge Hurdle winner Nopekan.

Ruby Walsh negotiated a passage up the inner of Three Mirrors on the run to the last and quickened a length clear of the newcomer Common World.

"Liverpool could be the place for him if we can get the same jockey," said Mullins's son, Tom. "Ruby said the horse had plenty of time to bottle it but in fact once he felt the other horse he went on." Typically, though, the upcoming festival wouldn't be denied its influence and Paddy Power were stung into action after the handicap hurdle when Harchibald's return to action resulted in him being cut from 33 to 1 to 8 to 1 favourite for the County Hurdle.

"He is a very good horse," admitted Noel Meade. "He had a wind operation in the summer and then got a leg which meant he was three months off. I thought he might need it today." There was no such worry however as Paul Carberry eased him clear from the last to leave King Carew and the rest in his wake.

Cheltenham is not on Hi Cloy's agenda but the high-class novice got a well deserved confidence booster with an effortless success in the novice chase.

"He will hardly go to Cheltenham. We'll think instead of the Power Gold Cup because he goes on any ground. It was nice to get €16,000 for a school!" quipped Michael Hourigan.

The Limerick trainer also won the bumper with the 14 to 1 shot Only Vintage but this was a race that cost punters as the newcomer Good Morning Sam was backed to the exclusion of anything else.

Michael O'Brien's horse ranged up like a winner in the straight but found nothing when asked.