Harchibald storms home

Following two wasted trips to England inside the last month, it was a case of third time lucky for Harchibald last Friday (St Stephen"s Day) when he landed the big hurdle race at Kempton Park in his usual effortless style. And for trainer Noel Meade, it was the perfect boost to aid his rehabilitation after spending a week in hospital. Although he was discharged from hospital before Christmas, the Castletown trainer is still on the sidelines and was not at Kempton Park for the overdue victory. Prior to Harchibald"s trip to Kempton last week, the horse had travelled to Cheltenham and Newcastle for races, but both meetings were abandoned due to the poor weather conditions. 'That was very furstrating for everyone, especially the owner, but it wasn"t of much benefit to the horse either as it disrupted his training schedule and he didn"t get to run,' Meade told the Meath Chronicle after the journey to Cheltenham. Last Friday"s race at Kempton produced a lot of casualties. Afsoun crashed out early, favourite Punjabi, ridden by Drumree man Barry Geraghty, came down when still going well two out - impeding Harchibald slightly - and Pierrot Lunaire also fell at the last. As normal, Harchibald came up to the leaders still on the bridle, but a messy jump at the final flight cost him momentum. Snap Tie and Blue Bajan were on either side of Meade"s charge, but Harchibald found plenty for Paul Carberry to beat Snap Tie by three-quarters of a length. Harchibald was second in the race 12 months and won it in 2004. 'That was absolutely brilliant, he put in a few brave leaps, but he always gets there - it was important not to get him to the front too soon,' stated Carberry. 'He had plenty left and kept galloping after the last, it was great,' he added The public appeared to have lost faith in the gelding which is now a 10-year-old and has received a quote of 20/1 from William Hill for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next March. The Irish Champion Hurdle is on the agenda before that. 'Everyone knows why he means so much to me and if he gets good ground, he"s a marvellous horse,' added the trainer.