Meade reveals Christmas plans

Noel Meade has revealed plans for his principle horses over the Christmas period. The Co Meath trainer, in common with most, has been held up by the recent cold weather but holds a number of big race entries over the holiday period.

Below are his principle runners, listed in alphabetical order.

"Across The Bay was ran badly in the Troytown Chase when we fancied him a lot. He had been working very well before the race and, having run so badly, I would probably have preferred to have run him once since then.

"Donnas Palm was disappointing at Fairyhouse when he really should have been closer to Voler La Vedette. We'll wait and see with him before making up our minds to run.

"Fully Funded disappointed me the last day and like quite a few of mine recently, was travelling well early in the straight but then seemed to blow up.

"Jered ran ok the last day but just got a bit tired and he was another which was held back by the cold snap.

"Muirhead was a little disappointing at Cork on his latest start. He made a mistake four out that day and it seemed to knock him back as he is a light framed horse. He is definately running.

"Oscar Looby will run in the Paddy Power Chase. He didn't seem to handle the track at Limerick and the ground may have been a little quick for him too.

"This season has been a disaster for Pandorama and, while he must simply have banged his head when withdrawn at Down Royal, he jumped straight into the second fence in the Hennessy before being hampered two fences later. He is still a very good horse though and will run in the Lexus Chase.

"Perfect Smile will also run in his Grade 1 event but may not have been at his best at Fairyhouse the last day, having travelled so well before emptying out. We think a lot of him and I don't think he ran his true race the last day - like a few of mine, maybe the weather may have held him up.

"I haven't made my mind up regarding running Realth Dubh yet. I thought he was a bit disappointing the last day (when left second in the Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse) and he seemed to just get unnerved after he slipped into an early fence. He really should jump better than he does but at Fairyhouse, from going well, his run flattened out quite quickly. I haven't made my mind up whether or not he'll run over Christmas yet though and maybe the bad weather hindered him preparation for Fairyhouse too.

"Thegreatjohnbrowne is in great form and we're happy with all he's done over fences. He had a win operation last Spring and, while we always thought an awful lot of him, his form seems to have been transformed. He is a definite runner."

Thomas Weekes