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 yesterday. '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.'
It will be a stern test for the six-yearold`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.
'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,' added Meade.
The wet weather may force Meade to scrap plans to run his 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.'
Punchestown will use their alternative track in the centre of the course for their meetings on December 10th and New Year`s Eve.
The decision was taken yesterday following a practical inspection of the racecourse proper by the inspector of courses, which included a limited schooling session by senior jockeys in the presence of owners and trainers.
' Today`s test has shown that the problem areas have not fully recovered and it is important that the remedial work continues uninterrupted to ensure that we have ideal ground for the Festival,' said chief executive Charles Murless.
