The chances of Feathard Lady making the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March appear to be improving and her trainer Colm Murphy yesterday issued an upbeat report on the unbeaten mare's recovery from a fetlock problem.

Feathard Lady injured her off-hind joint last week and was immediately ruled out of Sunday week's AIG Irish Champion Hurdle where she was due to meet her stable companion Brave Inca.

A run in the Champion Hurdle itself was also under threat but the chances of Feathard Lady now making the big race look to be increasing. Murphy stressed yesterday that no final decision will be made on the horse being well enough to be prepared for the festival until next week. But he also acknowledged that the recovery is currently going well.

"If she keeps going the way she is going at the moment, then we'll make Cheltenham. It certainly hasn't been ruled out by any means," Murphy reported.

"She is still having box rest but it seems to be going well and she is definitely a lot better than she was. She is maybe just minding it a little bit but hopefully that will improve.

"Let's put it like this, if she is not back cantering by the middle of next week we will be in trouble. But it's looking better and the big plus is that she takes no getting ready," he added.

In contrast there was an uncomplicated "all systems go" report for Brave Inca who will once again clash with the double Champion Hurdler Hardy Eustace in the AIG at Leopardstown.

Both horses were involved in one of the races of the season in last year's AIG when filling the places behind Macs Joy.

"There's not a bother on Brave Inca and it is all systems go for the AIG," said Murphy, while Hardy Eustace was also confirmed a starter by his trainer Dessie Hughes yesterday.

"He should run well. It was bottomless at Leopardstown last Sunday and it won't improve that much in a couple of weeks. The ground will still be pretty deep," said Hughes. "But it was testing last year too and he was only beaten by heads and necks. Brave Inca is a very good horse so it will be tough."

The Curragh trainer also confirmed that Paul Carberry will ride Central House in Sunday's Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse as Roger Loughran, who controversially got beaten on the horse over Christmas, is still suspended.

"Paul knows him well but Roger gets on particularly well with the horse," Hughes said.

"He looks a better horse this year, a stronger horse. After Cork, Navan and Leopardstown he looks entitled to take his chance in the Champion Chase. Possibly, on his last three runs, he is the best of the Irish two milers at this time, so he nearly has to have a go," he added.

The Woodlands Novice Chase is the graded highlight at Naas on Saturday and the race could see the second chase start for Willie Mullins's SunAlliance hope Our Ben.

"We might run there or there are a couple of opportunities next week as well. He had a little setback after his last run but he is okay.

"At the moment, the SunAlliance is the obvious target. He met a tartar last time in Nickname, who is obviously a very good horse," Mullins said yesterday.

Mullins also reported that his Triumph Hurdle hope, Mister Hight, is shaping up for a second start over flights at Leopardstown.

"The horse who was second to him last time (Maraba Millions) won at Punchestown so the form is looking good," he said.

"He is a lot better on soft ground but did run well on the flat on spring ground so he can handle a better surface," added Mullins.

The Grand National winner Hedgehunter has also been confirmed an intended starter in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown, a race Mullins has won a remarkable six times.

"He worked very well on Tuesday morning and we're very happy with him. We always said he would be entered for the Gold Cup and a decision made after the Hennessy," the Goresbridge trainer said.