Chimes At Midnight set for Leopardstown

Luke Comer plans to run his Smurfit Champion Hurdle hope Chimes At Midnight in the Ballsbridge Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The five-year-old is set to make his debut over obstacles in the two-mile event after being off the track since last year.

The ground at Leopardstown is currently heavy and Comer is not sure the ground will suit his horse, who took the IAWS Curragh Cup last summer before disappointing subsequently on the Flat.

'He seems to be OK but it`s difficult to know if he`s back to his best form,' the trainer said.

'He`s running on Sunday but I don`t think you can judge him on that as it looks like being absolutely awful conditions. He might not like the ground.

'But I intend to run him at Leopardstown but I won`t know exactly how he is until I return home tomorrow.'

As a three-year-old, Chimes At Midnight finished third in the 2000 St Leger but Comer admits he failed to live up to expectations last season.

'He had very good form on the Flat and hewas nearly one of the top rated three-year-olds,' said Comer.

'Last year was a bit good and bad. He ran just one good race and some people thought he might have had a problem with his back but he seems to be back on form this year.'

Comer has entered his horse for both the Champion Hurdle and the Royal & SunAlliance Novices` Hurdle, over two miles and five furlongs.

The wellbeing of Chimes At Midnight may well be gauged from his run and his performance may help Comer to decide which Festival event to aim at.

He added: 'I`ll just have to see how he runs. If there`s a small field I would prefer the Champion Hurdle rather than the Royal & SunAlliance. I`d prefer the shorter distance and I wouldn`t be afraid of any horse.'