Donnas Palm a possible for English Cesarewitch Smart hurdler Donnas Palm could switch back to the Flat to contest the Betfred Cesarewitch at Newmarket on October 8th. The nine-time winner has run a number of fine races in defeat at Grade One level over obstacles and was last seen running fifth at Fairyhouse in April. The grey has been given a breathing operation since that run and trainer Noel Meade feels his charge would merit respect if he does line up next month. "We have left in Donnas Palm and we will see how he progresses before making any final decision," said Meade. "He had a Hobday operation just before he went out at the start of the summer and has been back in work for quite a while now, but I don't now yet whether he will make it to Newmarket. "He is a nice horse and he has loads of ability, while I don't envisage the trip being a problem for him. He wasn't himself at the back-end of the jumps season so we had the wind operation done, which we think has helped him a lot. "He seems to be in very good nick at the moment and, if we were to get him to the Cesarewitch right and well, I think that he would have a good chance." There are four other Irish trained entered for the 2m 2f contest with Rainforest Magic for Dermot Weld, Buy Back Bob for Tony Martin, Regent Street for Aidan O'Brien and Mount Athos for David Wachman among the 114 entries.
