Racing: Tom Mullins is hoping Ruby Walsh will be available to partner Asian Maze if she lines up in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on Thursday week.
The seven-year-old has an alternative engagement in the Champion Hurdle but after the mare worked at Leopardstown on Sunday, Mullins is leaning towards the three-mile staying event instead.
Walsh partnered Asian Maze to victory at Aintree last season and could be set to take over from Paul Carberry, who got the leg up on her last two starts.
Mullins said: "It was a good bit of work yesterday. Ruby was very happy with Asian Maze, he said she was very fit and with only one run up to now you are always wondering if they’re fit enough but he said she’s 100 per cent.
"If she goes to the stayers’ race, as far as I know, Ruby is definitely available and I think Paul Carberry would be riding Rosaker for Noel Meade.
"For the Champion, I think both of them are kind of available there. We will see during the week what happens."
Asian Maze’s seasonal bow was delayed until last month after she suffered a hind-leg problem but Mullins is sure she is back on song now.
He said: "We are all pretty confident she’s over her problems. She’s been working well and the only thing that could help her now is for the weather to warm up a bit.
"I think getting more sun on her back might even bring her on further but otherwise I would say she's 110 per cent."
PA