Harchibald On The Mend Harchibald is continuing to make good progress as he recovers from surgery on a leg problem. The seven-year-old underwent an operation last Sunday to remove a piece of birch from his off-hind pastern and trainer Noel Meade said 'it would be a miracle' if the gelding were to run in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle. However, Harchibald is reported to be recovering well and his County Meath handler does not expect to make a definite decision on his Cheltenham Festival chances for a few weeks yet. 'We can´t really say much more than we could at the beginning of the week,' said Meade. 'It´s a case of so far so good and we are happy he is going the right way. 'It will be a couple of weeks before we can make a definite decision but I still think it would be a bit dodgy about him making it in time for the Festival.'(C) PA Sport
