Meade Mulling Harchibald Return

Noel Meade has pencilled in the Grade Two Tipperary Hurdle on October 1 as a possible starting point for stable star Harchibald.

Having made a winning reappearance in 2005 in the same contest ? then run as the Grade One John James McManus Memorial Hurdle ? Harchibald went on to record another success in the Bula Hurdle in December.

He then found Brave Inca too strong at Leopardstown before suffering a season-ending tendon injury.

Meade has been pleased with the seven-year-old in recent weeks, however, and has his fingers crossed that his charge can enjoy another profitable campaign.

'Harchibald has been progressing very well and we're really pleased with him,' explained the County Meath handler.

'We're hoping he'll be able to run in the Tipperary Hurdle in the first week of October ? the race he won last year.'

Meade has been steadily increasing Harchibald's work programme and reports all the signs to have been promising thus far.

'He actually was never let out as such because the vets didn't want him to be let out ? he was kept on the move, just walking for a long time,' he said.

'Then he started hacking and doing some steady work and he's been doing nice at half-speed for the last month so he's getting there.

'We haven't really had any problems with him since so I'm hopeful he's going to be okay.'

(C) PA Sport