Pandorama on course for RSA

Noel Meade says a gruelling three miles in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival will suit his star novice chaser Pandorama.

The seven-year-old Flemensfirth gelding will go straight to the Festival in March following a narrow win over Weapon's Amnesty in the Grade One Knight Frank Novice Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.

That was only his first attempt at three miles, but Meade says a real test at the trip on a stiff track is exactly what he needs.

The County Meath handler told sportinglife.com: "It really would be ideal. The faster they go the better and three miles is right up his alley.

"In novice hurdle races we always let him go to get the rest of them in trouble and he relishes three miles.

"We decided after Leopardstown we wouldn't run him again until Cheltenham as we're keen to go there fresh.

"He had a really hard race last time, there's no question about that, and he was up against a decent horse in Weapon's Amnesty who won at Cheltenham last season.

"It was a good performance and both horses will come into the reckoning in the RSA Chase. It's a hot division so I hope I can get him there safe and sound."

Pandorama has won eight times from nine starts mostly on yielding to heavy ground, and Meade admits fast conditions at the Festival would be a major concern.

"The one worry is quicker ground," Meade continued. "He certainly handles soft ground very well and at Christmas Davy (Condon) felt the ground was as quick as he'd like it although he did win a bumper on goodish ground.

"I won't run him on fast ground but if it was good ground it would be plenty quick enough for him."