Meade Plans Fortria Assault

Noel Meade could be double-handed in Sunday's Grade Two Navan Race Supporters Fortria Chase.

Meade has both Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup winner Sir Oj and the consistent Watson Lake as possibles for the two-mile contest.

The race was used in the past as a starting point for the magnificent Moscow Flyer and even though Jessica Harrington's champion is now enjoying retirement, Meade is still fearful of the competition that could include the likes of Central House, Nickname and Fota Island.

'I've got Sir Oj and Watson Lake entered in the Fortria Chase and there might not be a Moscow Flyer to worry about this year but there are still plenty of others!' said Meade.

'I was hoping we'd be sending Sir Oj over for the Paddy Power but the weights have gone up so much that he is not going to run as he would have ended up with nearly top weight. Whether we change it to Navan or not I don't know yet.

'I had to be pleased with how Watson Lake ran against War Of Attrition at Navan last time. He's a Gold Cup winner and he was very good that day. My boy got up beside him but maybe he didn't quite get home,' he told At The Races.

'He's won round Navan before and he likes it there. I'm not saying I won't try him over three miles again ? maybe at Christmas ? because he does like very soft ground but I'd say the race on Sunday is more probable.

'The way the weights are looking at the moment for Sir Oj, handicaps like the one he won at Cheltenham last year (Robin Cook) are out for him, as he will end up with top weight unless something else arrives on the scene in England.

'There is no way he is going to go over there and carry top weight in handicaps as there are plenty of races in Ireland for him to go for over two and two and a half miles without killing him as he is a horse who doesn't take much racing.'

(C) PA Sport