JCB Triumph Hurdle hopeful Alaivan will complete his Cheltenham Festival preparations at Fairyhouse later this month.

After tasting defeat at the hands of Carlito Brigante on Boxing Day, Edward O’Grady’s one time Cheltenham favourite will be looking to get back to winning ways with March in mind.

"The result was disappointing without a doubt. There are two sides of looking at everything though. The good side was that he jumped superbly," O'Grady explained.

"The downside was that he was challeneged by a horse of Noel Meade's early on and he got very buzzed up - both he and the other horse cut each other's throats down the far side. If I were to pick a positive it was probably to his credit that he managed to stay going and finished second - the other horse burned off and finished down the field.

"I would say the proximity of the third, who had been second to Alaivan at Gowran is where I'd be coming from. At Gowran Alaivan beat the same horse with consumate ease having run what I would call a proper sort of race."

"The horse (Alavain) is lovely and the plan is to run him at Fairyhouse, and that'll be his only run before Cheltenham," he confirmed.

Antepost punters will cast a watchful eye over the race with Alaivan currently trading at 10/1 with Ladbrokes for the Triumph Hurdle.  Follow this link to the leading bookmaker to see all the Festival antepost markets.

Triumph Hurdle -Ladbrokes
2m, Cheltenham Festival, March 2010
5 Mille Chief, 10 According, 10 Alaivan, 10 Carlito Brigante, 12 Secant Star, 14 Advisor, 16 Royal Mix, 16 Westlin Winds, 16 Pistolet Noir, 20 Sunwise, 25 Baccalaureate, 25 Barizan, 25 Olofi, 25 Pittoni, 25 Veiled, 25 Zaidpour, 40 Ultimate, others on request (1/4 odds 1,2,3)