Andrew Nelis racing

Peter Fahey reports Soviet Pimpernel firmly on course for next week’s Cheltenham Festival, following a pleasing post-racing workout at Leopardstown. The five-year-old has not been seen in competitive action since impressing with victory in a Grade Three event at Limerick over Christmas, having previously been narrowly beaten by Quel Destin at Cheltenham. Fahey is delighted with his star youngster as he prepares for his return to the Cotswolds – but whether he contests the curtain-raising Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, or switches to handicap company for the County Hurdle on Friday week, has yet to be decided. “He worked after racing in Leopardstown on Monday – Kevin Sexton rode him, and we were delighted with how it went,” said the Kildare-based trainer. “He’ll be left in the Supreme Novices’ at the confirmation stage (on Wednesday). He’s also in the County Hurdle, so we’ll just see what way both races are shaping up later in the week and decide which way we’re going to go. “We’...