TRIFOLIUM WILL SWERVE Fairyhouse this weekend and instead take his chance in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

The five-year-old was among the early entries to go up against Voler la Vedette in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, but trainer Charles Byrnes confirmed that they will go to Newcastle on Saturday instead.

Trifolium was a distant second on his only run so far this season, trailing home 32 lengths behind Miley Shah in a Grade 3 at Punchestown.

The Gigginstown gelding has had a minor wind operation since that October outing and Byrnes hopes it will help him return to the form which saw finish third in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham last year.

“It’s only a small field on Saturday and there is some good prize-money,” Byrnes told AtTheRaces. “Hopefully we’ll bring a bit of it home with us.”

Conditions at Newcastle are expected to be testing this weekend and some top contenders, including Champion Hurdle winner Rock On Ruby and the JP McManus-owned Darlan, are expected to wait until declaration time tomorrow before making a final call.

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