Venalmar

Mouse Morris is ready to let Venalmar make his long-awaited return in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Thurles.

The seven-year-old was beaten just a neck by Fiveforthree in the Ballymore Properties Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2008, but has been off the track since he was virtually pulled up at Punchestown a month later.

The handler said: "He's in good fettle and the plan is to let him take his chance on Thursday. We had him entered over three miles in Fairyhouse, but we felt that would be too much with the ground the way it is."

He added: "Two miles should be fine for him if it's soft, so fingers crossed he comes home safely. We'll see how it goes before we think about any other plans for him."

An early trip to Cheltenham is a possibility for China Rock following his first win over fences at Galway last week.

The six-year-old mixed it with some of the best around in novice hurdles last season, running fourth at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals.

Morris said: "He could go to Cheltenham in a couple of weeks for a novice chase or we might go to Punchestown for a race with him instead.

"I was delighted with him at Galway the last day considering the ground as he really battled on there at the end.

"It was a good performance because the second is no slouch and being by Presenting, our horse would be better on better ground."