Harchibald Champion Bid All But Over Noel Meade believes it will be a 'miracle' if Harchibald runs again this season after undergoing an operation to remove a piece of birch lodged in his leg. The seven-year-old, who had been favourite for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle after finishing runner-up to Hardy Eustace last term, is thought to have picked up his injury at Leopardstown on Thursday. He came off second best to Brave Inca in the December Festival Hurdle on that occasion and is now likely to be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign having had an operation under anaesthetic at Troytown Hospital. 'He has had the operation and they have found the piece of wood or probably birch and have taken it out,' Meade told PA Sport. 'From the hospital´s point of view the operation has been a success as they have found what was causing the problem, but we now have to try and keep any infection at bay. 'I would have to say that it will be a miracle if he races again this season as he will need a lot of antibiotics. He will need a miracle to get to Cheltenham and while miracles do happen, I just hope it heels up OK. 'He has stood back up and will stay at the hospital for a week or so, but we will have to see how it goes and we won´t be taking any chances.' In Harchibald´s absence, Coral make Feathard Lady their 7-2 market leader with her stablemate Brave Inca at 9-2.(C) PA Sport
