Noel Meade thinks the JLT Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival could be made to measure for Apache Stronghold

The County Meath handler once held Gold Cup ambitions for the seven-year-old, but now accepts the trip could be beyond him.

Apache Stronghold nonetheless looks the right type for the JLT after he shone brightly in a Grade One over two miles and five furlongs at Leopardstown on February 8.

Meade said: "Apache Stronghold has always been a nice horse from early on last year.

"What has disappointed me, though, is we thought that he might be the type of horse to stay three miles.

"We thought he might be a Gold Cup horse, but maybe it's just that two miles, five furlongs suits him better."