Pat Fahy believes the return to a right-handed track could help Western Boy close the gap on those who finished in front of him at Cheltenham if they meet again at Punchestown.

Western Boy claimed a creditable seventh, beaten just over 10 lengths, behind Vautour in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but jumped markedly out to his right at the final two flights.

The Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle on April 29th could see the pair meet again and Fahy is hopeful of his charge getting a bit closer.

"Jumping out to his right like he did can't have helped," said Fahy.

"Having a rail on his inside, rather than his outside, will be a big help I'd have thought.

"The good thing about him is that he goes on any ground. He handles the soft and goes on quicker ground so that's a big plus.

"Originally I thought he'd be a horse we could take to Galway on the Flat for the GPT, but at the moment we'll stick to the original plan and stay over hurdles.

"They were breaking records on the first day last week and he was jumping right-handed and still not beaten far. He's not slow and has plenty of pace."