NATIVE'S CASH FLOW

GO NATIVE is likely to have a racecourse gallop at Leopardstown to aid his bid for a £1 million bonus at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The 6-1 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle third favourite is qualified for the bumper payout as he’s already won the the first two legs of the WBX betting exchange’s challenge – their sponsored Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle. 

And trainer Noel Meade said this week: “When he arrived back in Ireland after Kempton, he looked very well and fortunately, we have had no hold-ups with him since. 

With around six weeks to go until Cheltenham, we are just starting to increase his workload ahead of the 

Champion Hurdle and I’ll probably take him to Leopardstown for a piece of work on grass in the near future.” 

Meade has already tilted at the bonus with now retired stable star Harchibald, who was controversially beaten in the Champion Hurdle. 

Hacking behind the leaders, he was only asked to go by Hardy Eustace on the run-in but was outbattled near the line. 

“We have a terrific opportunity now,” Meade said. “It’s very exciting to be involved, especially with so much at stake. 

“Everybody at our yard is looking forward to the big day and it would be an honour to achieve something which had only been done before by Kribensis. 

“The comparisons between Go Native and Harchibald have been well documented since Kempton and I can confirm the pair are similar types of horse.” 

“I’d have to say Go Native possesses a lot more speed than Harchibald and hopefully he will be able to show that in the Champion Hurdle.”

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