Harchibald Second On Dundalk Return

Harchibald made a fine return to the track when second on the level at Dundalk.

Noel Meade's mercurial eight-year-old, who had not competed on the Flat for 1887 days, was delivered on the far rail by Niall Madden and came home a valiant runner-up behind Lake Pontchartrain (16-1).

Harchibald, a three-time Grade-One winning hurdler, was held up in the early exchanges but made seamless progress as they turned for home in the extended 10-furlong heat.

Madden, whose partner was sent off at odds of 6-1, did well to avoid the intense scrimmaging inside the last furlong and only went down by a neck to the 16-1 winner.

The 2005 Champion Hurdle runner-up was withdrawn from the Maplewood Developments Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday due to the testing ground and is still under consideration for the WBX.COM 'Fighting Fifth' Hurdle at Newcastle on December 1.

Meade said: 'I'm delighted with that. He ran well and I knew he was coming back to himself.

'He was caught out by the pace early on but stayed on there at the end.

'He's got his old swagger back and we'll now go to Newcastle if the ground is right.'

? PA Sport