Meade to let Road hit stride before crack at Gold Cup

ROAD TO RESPECT is set to make a guest appearance with a Leopardstown gallop tomorrow, before his intended tilt at next month’s Unibet Irish Gold Cup. Noel Meade’s stable star was last seen finishing third behind the impressive Kemboy when defending his crown in the Savills Chase — formerly the Lexus — at the Foxrock track over the Christmas period. Meade (right) was left wondering what might have been, because his charge stumbled badly before the home turn and then stayed on to pick up minor honours — and he is hoping compensation awaits in the Irish Gold Cup on February 3.

WILLIE MULLINS has revealed leading Supreme Novices’ Hurdle contender Quick Grabim will miss the Cheltenham Festival. ‘Quick Grabim has had a setback and will not make Cheltenham,’ said Mullins. ‘He suffered a stress fracture after his last run, but hopefully he will make it back in time for Punchestown. He’ll get all the time he needs.’

NOEL FEHILY will be out of action for an as yet unknown period after having keyhole surgery to remove his appendix. Fehily rode on Friday but gave up his mounts at Kempton on Saturday because of stomach pains, and was subsequently rushed to hospital. ‘The main thing is for Noel to make a full recovery,’ said his agent Chris Broad. ‘Obviously it’s a shame to have one of my top jockeys out, and at the moment we don’t really know how long he will be sidelined for.’

RICHARD JOHNSON has his fingers crossed he will be fit enough to ride at Newcastle today after missing his final two mounts at Fontwell after being unseated. ‘I’m not too bad, just sore really.’