Falcon Set For Tipperary Return

Intersky Falcon is set to return to action in the John James McManus Memorial Hurdle at Tipperary in October - a race he has won twice in the past.

The Jonjo O´Neill-trained eight-year-old has not run since disappointing behind Al Eile at Aintree in April.

However, the gelding, who has been plagued with breathing problems, is now reported to be in 'fantastic' form by connections.

Terry McDermott, for the part-owners interskyracing.com, said: 'He´s had another breathing operation. I spoke to Jonjo yesterday and he couldn´t be more pleased with him, he said he´s fantastic.

'He went to the Champion Hurdle without a run since the Fighting Fifth, and got beaten five lengths into sixth place with a breathing problem. That takes some doing for a horse who was ill for a long time - he had the same virus as the others at Jonjo´s.

'He then went to Aintree and we thought he´d win but the wind problem cropped up again so he´s had another operation.

'We think it´s worked and if it has worked then we´ve got a good horse again.

'He´ll go to Tipperary for the race he´s won twice. He won it two years on the bounce but missed it last year because he wasn´t right.

'It will be difficult over there especially if Harchibald runs but if all goes well there, he could go to Newcastle for the Fighting Fifth.

'If he gets over his wind problem then we´ll try again (for the Champion Hurdle).'

? PA Sport