The Smurfit Champion Hurdle second favourite Ned Kelly is now likely to have his second race in eight days at Punchestown on Saturday.

Trainer Edward O'Grady had initially appeared to rule out the Morgiana Hurdle as an option for Ned Kelly following a successful seasonal debut at Down Royal last Friday.

However, the horse has been pleasing O'Grady in his work since then and a clash with the top stayer Limestone Lad in the two mile contest now looks on.

"After Down Royal the horse was just a possible for the Morgiana but now he is a possible, verging on a probable. Subject to talking with his owner and jockey, I think he will run in it," O'Grady said yesterday.

"He is just in superb form and was in very good shape after working well this morning," he added, before dismissing concerns that rider Norman Williamson might miss out due to the Thomas Pink Gold Cup meeting at Cheltenham at the weekend.

"I think he will be over for the ride. I don't think he will want to miss out on this horse," O'Grady said. Ned Kelly is as low as 8 to 1 for the championship in March behind the favourite, Istabraq.

The Grand National winning rider Ruby Walsh returns from injury with two rides at Clonmel this afternoon, just days before the Gold Cup contenders Rince R∅ and Commanche Court are due to run.

The latter is described as a "possible" for Saturday's Intervet Trophy at Cheltenham by trainer Ted Walsh while Rince R∅ is due to have a first start since winning the Ericsson in Sunday's Pierse Contracting Troytown Chase at Navan.

Another possible Irish representative at Cheltenham on Saturday is the Thurles winner Risk Accessor in a novice chase and another Christy Roche-trained novice, Le Coudray, is expected to make his own chasing debut at Navan on Sunday.

It may be worth waiting for a bet at Clonmel as the O'Grady trained Roddy What looks worth an interest in the bumper.

This one didn't jump particularly well at Punchestown 11 days ago when fifth to Woodys Blue Lagoon but had previously run a decent third on the level at Navan.

Wise Man ran third to Native Beat at Gowran last February and could be the one in the second maiden hurdle while Samasakhan looks good for the first one.