Salsify seeks qualification for Foxhunters

Salsify faces a crucial outing in the Easter Festival 27th - 29th March Hunters Chase at Fairyhouse on Saturday as he tries to move a step closer to a Cheltenham Festival run.

The 11-year-old has twice won the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase at the Festival, in 2012 and 2013, before an injury sidelined him for well over a year.

He returned to action last February but another trip to Cheltenham ended in him being pulled up in the amateur riders' event, and he was again off the track until earlier this month.

Trainer Rodger Sweeney was satisfied by his third place on his return at Leopardstown but is well aware his charge must show his best if he is to make the Festival again next month.

He said: "Cheltenham is the plan but he needs to qualify for the race yet.

"He's got to finish first or second on Saturday and win an open point-to-point by March 2, so it's getting a bit tight for time.

"I would like to go to Cheltenham. He got injured there but he showed more of his old self last time and has come out of that well.

"There's only four of them in there so we will see how we get on."

Salsify's three opponents in the two-mile-five-furlong contest are Colin McBratney's Abbey Lane, the Shark Hanlon-trained Luska Lad and Wish Ye Didnt from Enda Bolger's yard.