NOEL Meade has issued an upbeat bulletin as his smart chaser Disko nears a return to action.

The grey has not been seen for 12 months since winning a Grade 2 Chase at Down Royal on his seasonal comeback last year.

As a novice he won the Growise Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival, beating Anibale Fly, and the Flogas Novice Chase from Our Duke.

“He fractured his skull and a wither in his box for some unknown reason – it was a freak accident,” Meade told At The Races. “We feared the worst, but he has actually healed well, and we are happy with how he’s going.

“We didn’t think he’d be ready before Christmas, but he’s coming along nicely and he will be ready in about a month.

“Whether we risk him in the John Durkan, wait until Christmas or wait for something else I’m not sure – there’s not a heap of races he can run in, but he’s coming on.”