Aran Sights Lowered

Aranleigh has been ruled out of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle by Tony Mullins, with a tilt at one of the longer races at the Cheltenham Festival on the agenda.

After finishing third in the Champion Bumper last year, connections had high hopes for the JP McManus-owned six-year-old.

However, after two narrow-margin victories earlier in the season, he was found wanting in the Future Champions Novice hurdle at Leopardstown.

'He's done nothing wrong, I just thought he was a better horse,' said Mullins.

'He won his two races, but it looked like hard work. He did it in workmanlike style and when he met the real horses at Christmas he got beat.

'Before the season started I thought he was the real deal, but now I would say that he is a very good horse but a chaser in the making.

'We'll still aim towards Cheltenham or a good prize and he'll be in with a shout, but I don't think he has anything up his sleeve.

'The Supreme is out now. I thought he was a speed horse, but Tony McCoy says he is a better stayer and he looks right.

'He'll be aimed at the Ballymore or the Brit Insurance Hurdle. He'll be going novice chasing next year.

'It looks to be a particularly good crop of two-mile novice hurdlers.'

(C) PA Sport