Noel Meade faces an anxious week trying to keep his star novice, Cardinal Hill, on-course for Cheltenham. Cardinal Hill was taken out of his intended prep race at Navan tomorrow after disappointing Meade in a final workout yesterday morning.

"He breezed five furlongs and just didn't sparkle. Usually he is never off the bridle but this time he was flat. Some of ours have been running flat, so I just can't run him.

"The horse is 100 per cent sound and looks great and we can just hope he comes right in time. We are still aiming for Cheltenham but it is in the lap of the gods. It depends on he works between now and then," said Meade.

Cardinal Hill remains 4 to 1 joint favourite with Joe Mac for the Citroen Supreme Novices' Hurdle. "It's still four weeks to Cheltenham and the horse still has time to get back," said Belfast bookmaker Sean Graham.