Noel Meade hopes to have Road To Riches back in action at Christmas after the Grade One-winning chaser underwent surgery on a spinal issue.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned nine-year-old finished second on his seasonal bow at Gowran on October 1 and was in contention for the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal – a race he won in 2014.

But Meade said: “Road To Riches has been operated on for ‘kissing spine’.

“He will miss the north (Down Royal) and hopefully we’ll have him back for Christmas.