Weather could scupper Cheltenham plan for Killaro

Adrian Murray admits he is running out of time in a bid to get Killaro Boy to Cheltenham.

The Westmeath handler was hoping to get a run into his charge at Leopardstown this Sunday but his plans have been scuppered by the weather.

The Mr Dinos gelding looked highly progressive last spring and was impressive when running out a wide-margin winner at Fairyhouse last Easter.

Murray has endured a frustrating campaign this season, however, and he has been restricted to just one outing over timber at Gowran Park in January.

Killaro Boy holds an entry in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase, but without a prep run, he looks unlikely to take up the engagement.

"I was hoping to get a run into him at Leopardstown. He's going to need a run and I don't know whether that's going to happen or not," said Murray.

"If we got a run into him, I'd be hoping to get in to the Kim Muir. He probably has a 50-50 chance of getting into the race.

"I had a few hold-ups with him during the year and never really got a proper run of it with him. I got one run into him over hurdles and then we had another bit of a setback.

"We worked him the other day with the hope of running him on Sunday and then maybe going to Cheltenham then.

"I don't know whether we are coming or going with him at the moment, to be honest.

"There is no point going to Cheltenham unless you are 100 per cent fit and, at this stage, we are looking unlikely. I'll have to talk to the owners.

"Time is running out for us now. Cheltenham isn't the end of the world if we don't get there. We'd love to go but there is no point going unless you are 100 per cent.

"He's in the Irish National and there is also a handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival for him. He's well in over hurdles at the minute, 20lb lower.

"I'll probably keep him going for a bit of the summer as well because he is a good-ground horse. His best runs have been on good ground."