Trainer Noel Meade has spoken out about his concern that the going will be too soft for his charge. Although Go Native is a remarkably reliable horse, winning eight out of his 14 career starts and placing second four times, the consistency of the track could prove an issue. Thus far the seven-year-old is still being handled as the favourite for the Smurfit Kappa Champion – a win that would also award him the WBX.com Bonus of £1 million. After the brown gelding took the win at the William Hill Christmas Hurdle in December as well as the Wbx.com Fighting Fifth Hurdle in November, he is now eligible for the bonus if he manages to overcome the potentially difficult territory.

Last year’s Cheltenham Festival saw Go Native race to victory in the Williamhill.com Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, despite the going being good to soft, soft in places. While the training team are not quite as confident as they would like to be, the fact that their charge has triumphed over unflattering circumstances gives some much needed encouragement as they prepare Go Native to continue his winning campaign.