Noel Meade readies exciting team of young horses for the Flat season

Established jumps trainer Noel Meade is readying an exciting team of young horses for the Flat season, with Layfayette nominated as his key hope for the year.

The three-year-old had three starts last campaign, winning impressively at Navan and the Curragh before a close second in a €120,000 sales race at Navan. The son of French Navy could develop into a smart performer when the Flat season commences in Ireland.

Meade said: “Our best three-year-old, without any shadow of a doubt, is Layfayette. We really like him. He wants fast ground and it was just a bit slow for him last year. He was only just touched off in the big sales race at the end of last year so he’s one we’re looking forward to. He might just improve a bit this season.”

Meade, who has trained Road To Respect, Disko and Road To Riches to top-level glory over jumps in recent years, is excited by his much bigger team for the Flat.

“We’ve about 15 two-year-olds and the same amount of three-year-olds, so we’ve been kept ticking over with them,” added the Irish trainer.

“Last season was our first year when we went back into the Flat scene for a long time. We made a point of buying a few yearlings and it worked out well so we’re hoping for the best again.”

And Meade picked out a few other names to keep an eye on. He said: “Jerandme is going to be a horse who can run in all of those good staying handicaps on the Flat. He stays well.

“We have Dinard Rose, Harvest Bow and maybe even De Name Escapes Me – they are all horses you could think about running on the Flat this summer.”

“Luke Short is another nice two-year-old from last year. We’ve a few nice three-year-olds without having any stars and there should be plenty to look forward to once we get back.”