Cardinal Hill back

Noel Meade's exciting novice Cardinal Hill has got the go-ahead to run at Punchestown on Sunday.

Cardinal Hill hasn't raced since early December and underwent blood tests earlier in the week after some of the Meade string ran disappointingly recently.

Meade's partner Gillian O'Brien reported yesterday: "The tests came back perfect and Punchestown is Plan A at the moment. A couple of ours have been running in and out but Cardinal Hill came up with absolutely nothing."

Although Cardinal Hill figures prominently in ante-post betting for the SunAlliance Hurdle at Cheltenham, O'Brien added that the two-mile Supreme Novices' Hurdle is currently the preferred option. Joe Mac, also owned by JP McManus, is an intended starter in that race, too.

Hill Society, just pipped in last year's epic Arkle Trophy, is likely to go straight for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, while Cockney Lad is likely to figure in this year's Arkle.

Willie Mullins, trainer of the Gold Cup favourite, Florida Pearl, could have as many as seven representatives at the Cheltenham festival.

Alexander Banquet has successfully come through his trial for the SunAlliance Hurdle, but Balla Sola will have his prep race for the Triumph Hurdle at Thurles tomorrow.

Native-Darrig, Wither Or Which and Mary's Manna are other possible festival starters, while Mullins hasn't ruled out bidding for a fourth festival bumper. The Co Carlow trainer has already won the race with Wither Or Which, Florida Pearl and Alexander Banquet.