Exciting young hurdler Sausalito Bay is all set to return to action at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
The winner of Cheltenham`s Supreme Novices` Hurdle is earmarked for the Ballymore Properties Hatton`s Grace Hurdle.
'It`s getting more likely that he will run,' said trainer Noel Meade today. 'But I won`t make a final decision until nearer the day.
'He was late coming back in and it`s taken time to get him ready but he`s in good shape now.'
Sausalito Bay`s regular jockey Paul Carberry is injured but Meade has yet to decide on a replacement if he runs on Sunday.
It will be a stern test for the six-year-old`s comeback with possible rivals including Moscow Flyer and Youlneverwalkalone.
Sausalito Bay has been off the course since losing his unbeaten record over timber when third at odds-on at Punchestown in May.
The former Ian Balding horse is joint sixth best in William Hill`s list at 25-1 for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, and quoted at 20-1 by Coral for the Arkle Chase.
But Meade has no particular Cheltenham target in mind at present. 'I wouldn`t have any idea where he`ll be going next March, let`s just see how he gets on in his first race,' he said.
'If he can`t run on Sunday I don`t know what we`re going to do as there`s not much else until the end of the year. The only other option would be to bring him over to England but I`m not keen on that idea just yet.'
It is unlikely that the powerful Sausalito Bay will be trying his hand chasing in the near future.
'I haven`t even schooled him over fences yet so he will probably be staying over hurdles for the time being,' said Meade.
The wet weather may force Meade to scrap plans to run smart novice hurdler Fnan at Sandown on Friday.
Fnan, a 74,000-guinea buy out of John Dunlop`s stable, has already racked up three wins over timber.
Meade said: 'We entered him at Sandown because we are looking for some good ground for him.
'But the way the weather`s going it looks like it might be soft in which case he won`t be travelling over.'
