Cardinal Hill not definite for Navan

Cardinal Hill has been made the new favourite for the Citreon Supreme Novices' Hurdle but is not certain to have a prep race at Navan on Sunday.

His trainer, Noel Meade, had been lining up the Bank Of Ireland Finance Hurdle at the weekend after withdrawing Cardinal Hill from Punchestown last Sunday because of the ground.

However, yesterday Meade said: "Cardinal Hill is a possible for Navan but it's not definite yet. I haven't discussed the matter at length with JP (McManus) and we have to see what the weather does in the meantime."

Cardinal Hill, who hasn't run since the end of November, has been cut to 7 to 2 favourite by Corals, who had suspended betting on the Supreme Novices due to rumours concerning the previous favourite, Joe Mac, also owned by McManus.

Joe Mac was re-introduced to the market at 4 to 1 yesterday after assurances from trainer Christy Roche that the horse was fine, but Corals spokesman Simon Clare commented: "I wouldn't be surprised if Joe Mac continues to drift as the market evolves."

Clare added: "The trainer says everything is all right but from a bookmaking point of view the betting pounds show that the public are concerned. The two horses are owned by JP McManus and everybody assumed they wouldn't race against each other. That is why Cardinal Hill was being quoted for the SunAlliance Hurdle but that doesn't seem to be the case now." Christy Roche was unavailable for comment yesterday.

The Ladbroke Hurdle winner, Archive Footage, currently figures in the betting for the Stayers' Hurdle but trainer Dermot Weld said yesterday: "Archive Footage is more likely to run in one of the handicaps at Cheltenham. He is in the Coral Cup and the County Hurdle and we will decide which of them he will run in closer to the festival."

Weld described Francis Bay as a possible for the Triumph Hurdle and the Naas winner could have pipe-opener at Navan on Sunday.

The feature at Navan will be the Grade Two Golden Pages Boyne Hurdle, where Commanche Court is expected to take his chance. Ted Walsh had been considering a clash with Theatreworld in Saturday's Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran but the longer race is the more likely option. Aidan O'Brien's French import Le Coudray had been touted for the race but is now set to go straight to Cheltenham for the Stayers Hurdle.

Scottish trainer Lenny Lungo confirmed that the progressive Birkdale, a winner on his last three runs over hurdles, is set to take on Commanche Court at Navan. "He's certainly not running there through my knowledge of the Irish racing calendar," said Lungo.

"One of Birkdale's owners is a friend of Fergie Sutherland and he was the one who told us about this race.

"Birkdale has risen up the handicap so it's certainly worth having a try in a conditions event. There's only eight entered, although they include Commanche Court.

"We'd like to run and we will be going across as long as the weather is fine."

With Birkdale climbing rapidly in the ratings there is a possibility that Lungo may be forced to send him back over fences.

"It's getting to be harder to find suitable races in Britain."