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Paul Carberry and Go Native. ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
Horse Racing

Meade waits for green light on Go Native

Noel Meade is considering a trip to Newcastle for the Fighting Fifth with Go Native, who showed no after-effects from his Punchestown fall.

NOEL MEADE’S GO Native could line up for the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in a fortnight’s time provided he is none the worse for his fall at Punchestown yesterday.

Meade’s nine-year-old was well in contention in the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle, his first run over jumps in 31 months, but crashed out at the final flight when locked in battle with eventual winner Hurricane Fly.

Although Meade said that Go Native was showing no ill effects this morning, he refused to commit to any future races until he has been checked over by the physio.

“Obviously he had a heavy fall, but he slid along the ground so he didn’t take the brunt of it,” he told AtTheRaces.com.

“If he was OK I wouldn’t rule out Newcastle [for the Fighting Fifth]. I’m not saying he will go there, we’ll just leave the door open for the moment.”

Meanwhile Willie Mullins confirmed that next month’s Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown is the likely next target as Hurricane Fly continues his bid to regain his Cheltenham crown.

Aided by Go Native’s fall, the eight-year-old ran out a comfortable 12-length winner on his seasonal return and showed no hangover from the disrupted preparations which caused him to miss both the Morgiana and the Festival Hurdle last season and ultimately saw him finish a disappointing third when defending his Champion Hurdle title.