Meade Sweet On Wake Chance

Noel Meade is hoping his promising five-year-old Sweet Wake can bounce back to his best in Sunday's Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The entire came over from Germany with a tall reputation and had impressed Meade greatly in winning his first two starts over hurdles and in his home work.

He was sent off the 5-2 favourite for the two-mile novice championship at the Festival but he was found wanting after the final flight and faded to finish fifth behind Noland.

'Sweet Wake worked really well last season and we thought he would have a big chance at Cheltenham but he still ran a good race, he was only beaten five lengths,' said Meade.

'Like a lot of the horses that come in from Germany he just took his time to settle.'

If Howard Johnson decides to run Arcalis, Sweet Wake would carry only 10st 7lb on Sunday, a mark which his handler believes would enable him to be competitive.

'We were a little bit late in getting him back in and it is a tall enough order for him first time out going to the Greatwood but at the same time it looks the right race for him,' Meade told At The Races.

'It sounds like it is going to be good ground and he could be in there with 10st 7lb which is a nice weight.

'I took him to Leopardstown after racing on Saturday and he worked very, very well and I think he'll run a good race.'

(C) PA Sport