Snow Dragon is now certain to miss the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Sandown tomorrow. Trainer Noel Meade said: "Snow Dragon hasn't put on as much weight as I would have expected after his win at Fairyhouse last Saturday, so I have decided to give Sandown a miss.
"Snow Dragon will probably run at Leopardstown over Christmas, although no firm decision has yet been made. The horse is perfectly well."
Snow Dragon was quoted at 10 to 1 for tomorrow's race by both William Hill and Ladbrokes.
Meade's star hurdler Cardinal Hill, surprisingly beaten by Alexander Banquet at Fairyhouse last Sunday, still has a choice of engagements and no decision has been reached as to where he will run next.
"He won't run in the big hurdle race at Navan on December 19th," added Meade.
"It is possible that he will have only one race before he goes to Cheltenham in March. I have not yet decided when that will be."
Meanwhile, Morceli, not seen out since finishing third to The Grey Monk and Jodami in the Sean Graham Limited Handicap Chase at Ayr in November 1996, looks set to miss the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton.
"He must very doubtful for the King George," the grey's trainer Howard Johnson said yesterday. "I can't get a run into him."
