Asian Maze's weekend comeback at Punchestown was enough for some firms to cut her ante-post price for the Champion Hurdle to as low as 8 to 1 but trainer Tom Mullins is keen to give the star mare another run before deciding whether or not to go down the Champion route again.
Mullins reported yesterday that Asian Maze has emerged in "great shape" from that narrow defeat to Iktitaf in the Morgiana Hurdle and that it's "50-50" about whether she goes next to Fairyhouse on Sunday week for the Hatton's Grace Hurdle or waits for the Boylesports International (formerly the Bula) at Cheltenham the following weekend.
"The Hatton's Grace is the easier option I suppose, but there is plenty of prize money for the Bula. She also gets more of a filly's allowance, and there is also the fact we might learn more from running her at two miles and a furlong," Mullins said.
"I'd also like to see how she acts around Cheltenham after her last start there in the Champion when she fell."
After that tip up at the fourth flight at Cheltenham, Asian Maze went on to easily land the Aintree Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs, and some form experts believe that distances of over two miles are ideal for the mare.
"There is no doubt she will definitely have to improve another few pounds if we are to think about the Champion and I'd like to have another run under our belts before deciding," Mullins conceded. "But I thought it was a good trial the other day. Brave Inca was seven lengths back and I don't think she could do much more first time out at two miles against the best."
Another run against specialist two milers could be an informative next step in the Boylesports race but Mullins is concerned about the possible going at Cheltenham.
"For me, the ground at Cheltenham for the Paddy Power meeting wasn't great so it's a case of trying to predict what it might be like in the Bula," he said. "I would say it is 50-50 between the Hatton's Grace and the Bula but she is well able for a run in one of them. She didn't have as hard a race in the Morgiana as I thought and has come out of it in great shape."
The Boylesports Hurdle also remains an option for the former Bula winner Harchibald but the Noel Meade-trained star may have to wait until Christmas for his next start after being ruled out of Saturday's Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.
Harchibald worked well on Tuesday but was found to be lame that night and the Cheltenham option (December 9th) may come too soon.
"He could be back in time but it may be a week or two before we can do anything and Christmas looks a more obvious target at the moment," said Meade yesterday.
"He worked on Tuesday and we were absolutely delighted. But he was very slightly lame on his near hind that night. It has nothing to do with the injury he got last year. He was better this morning and was walking soundly but at the top he was just feeling something.
"He has just twisted a muscle or something in his quarters. We did a scan and there doesn't appear to be any serious damage done. We have to hope it won't hold him up too long. All we can do is a lot of physio and hope he comes back as quick as he can," he added.
Meade also ruled out his consistent campaigner Sir Oj from next month's John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown although that race is the next target for the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition.
Mouse Morris also confirmed that the King George VI Chase at Kempton is not an option for War Of Attrition who will instead stay at home for Leopardstown's Lexus Chase.
"I put him in the King George as a back up, in case of the ground, but I'm not keen on travelling him at this time of year - not this season anyway - and he will wait for the Lexus," Morris said.
The topweight Southern Vic has been installed a 4 to 1 favourite by the sponsor for Sunday's William Hill Troytown Chase at Navan as trainer Ted Walsh bids to repeat his victory of 2004 with Jack High.
Today's action at Thurles sees the Hardy Eustace colours of owner Lar Byrne carried by Tiddle About in the novice hurdle. The Jim Gorman-trained mare had a nice run over two miles here behind Female recently and the former smart bumper performer may have too much finishing toe for the likely favourite Chosen Man.
Rosamio will relish the three miles of the handicap chase, and she didn't run badly last time here behind Letterman in a good novice chase, while the Limerick runner-up, Merveillies, looks good to go one better in the juvenile hurdle.
William Hill Troytown betting: 4 Southern Vic, 13-2 Pearly Jack, 8 No Half Session, 10 Cane Brake and Well Tutored, 12 Bothar Na, Jaquoille, Star Clipper, 14 Bar.
