Trainer Colm Murphy happy with Quito De La Roque

Trainer Colm Murphy hopes the decision to re-route Quito De La Roque to Thurles today for the Listed John Meagher Memorial Chase can reap handsome dividends.

Murphy’s charge was declared a non-runner for last Saturday’s JNwine.com Champion Chase, but he sets a good standard if he can put a Gowran mishap behind him by recapturing the form that saw him land the Down Royal Grade One in 2011.

Murphy said: “He has to give weight away all round, but he seems well and we’re very happy with him. I’m not sure that they’re going to get much rain. The more rain the better for him ideally as he seems to handle soft ground better.

“We’ll get tomorrow out of the way and then plan from there. There are plenty of races for him.”

Trainer Noel Meade is hoping for further rainfall for Realt Dubh, who has not been seen since finishing second in a Grade Two at Naas in February. Meade said: “He’s in good form and the conditions of the race suit him well.

“We could do with a bit more rain. It’s good at the moment and we definitely wouldn’t want it any quicker. We’d want it on the easy side of good.

“He’s never won over two miles and six (furlongs), but he’s getting a bit older and the trip won’t disadvantage him.”

Tom Mullins, by contrast, hopes the rain keeps at bay for Fosters Cross, who raced three times in October.

He said: “We’re very happy with him, he’s in good form. I’m delighted that the ground is good.

“It was good to firm earlier in the week and I’d have been happy if it had stayed like that. The quicker the better for him.

“Realistically we’re running for place money but if anything else comes along all the better.”