Meade considers Aitmatov options

Noel Meade is weighing up the options for Aitmatov following his hard-fought success in the Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas on Saturday.

The gelding does hold an entry in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, a race in which he was sixth last season, but Meade is currently favouring a trip to Aintree a month later.

"It was great to get that win into him and he kept on really well in conditions which he doesn't really like," said Meade.

"We were maybe a bit lucky as Clopf stopped a bit in front but we are delighted and he will need a bit of a break now as the conditions were testing enough.

"He is in the World Hurdle so we will obviously have a look at that but I think two and a half miles suits him better so Aintree could be an option.

"That would probably suit him down to the ground but we will see nearer the time."