Irish National is target for Prince Rudi Stephen Nolan is assessing a plan of attack for Prince Rudi in the wake of his fine win at Galway. The veteran has been in terrific form this season and showed real resolution in finishing all-out to hold Shanpallas in the valuable Landbrokes Handicap Hurdle on the Saturday of the big week, being strongly pressed from the final flight. The 12-year-old is at home over hurdles or fences, and has enjoyed a mini-break since his Ballybrit heroics. Nolan said: "He only started back on Monday. I wanted him to have a good 10 days off. He'll definitely get an entry in the two-mile-six, Grade C 0-140 handicap hurdle at Killarney. "I'll assess him up to that date. Realistically he would need another win to get into the Kerry National. I know I mentioned the Kerry National after he won in Galway, but it's not the be-all and end-all. "He's a 12-year-old and there are a couple of other chases before Christmas. The Irish National is still the long-term aim. "He's very versatile but I don't want him lugging top weight in chases. He wants three miles in hurdle races. The two-mile-six in Galway is like three miles as you go up the hill twice." Nolan added: "Toretto could also go to Killarney. He wants one mile six or a-mile-and-a-half on the flat or two miles or two-and-a-half over hurdles. He's very ground-dependent. At worst he wants it yielding. He could run at Tramore on Saturday."
