Meade parades stars for media

Noel Meade worked around a dozen horses in front of the gathered media on Monday morning.

Wounded Warrior, placed at Cheltenham and Punchestown last spring, was due to be part of the contingent strutting their stuff, but has suffered a setback.

"He was cast in his box last week," said the trainer.

"He's a huge horse and I've always thought the world of him. He could improve a lot and he wants a trip on soft ground.

"I tried to get Michael (O'Leary) to enter him in the Hennessy at Newbury, but he wouldn't have it.

"He's a really good horse."

Texas Jack was last of four behind Don Cossack on Saturday and is set for a drop in trip, with the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in less than a fortnight in the melting pot.

Meade said: "Saturday proved once and for all that he doesn't stay three miles.

"He was travelling really well again and just didn't get home.

"He'll go back to two and a half miles. He's in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham and it will be interesting to see what weight he gets."

Meade also revealed Very Wood, not seen since disappointing when favourite for Cheltenham's National Hunt Chase, remains on the sidelines.

"He knocked a joint when we were getting him ready for the Irish National. It got infected and it's taking a long time to get it right," he said.

"He's a horse with plenty of ability, but his form was in and out last season and he can be a bit of a funny character.

"Training him can be as much mental as physical."

There was better news of Mullaghanoe River, however, who having missed the whole of last season, is closing in on a comeback.

Meade said: "He was going very well when he fell in the Irish National last year and I think he would have been involved at the finish.

"With a bit of luck he'll start off in the Troytown and maybe on to the Paddy Power at Leopardstown at Christmas.

"He wants three miles or three-mile-plus and could turn out to be anything.

"He had problems with his jumping, but he had trouble with a hind leg that was causing him pain and I think as a result of that, it caused him to miss out the odd fence."