Meade star to exercise on Festival media day

Road To Respect is set to make a guest appearance with a Leopardstown gallop on Wednesday, before his intended tilt at next month’s Unibet Irish Gold Cup.

Noel Meade’s stable star was last seen finishing third behind the impressive Kemboy when defending his crown in the Savills Chase – formerly the Lexus – at the Foxrock track over the Christmas period.

Meade was left wondering what might have been, because his charge stumbled badly before the home turn and then stayed on to pick up minor honours – and he is hoping compensation awaits in the Irish Gold Cup on February 3.

The two-day Dublin Racing Festival will be officially launched later this week, and Road To Respect will be one of the horses to take to the track for some light exercise in front of the media.

Meade said: “Road To Respect will go to Leopardstown on Wednesday for a canter round, and the plan is to go for the Irish Gold Cup.

“He was unlucky at Christmas when he stumbled twice, and anyone that watches the race can make up their own minds what they think. He was going to be thereabouts only for that.

“He was very gutsy to get back where he did. He ran a hell of a race, in a race that was run not to suit him.”