Aspen Colorado facing Leopardstown test

Aspen Colorado bids to enhance his reputation with victory in the concluding race at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The JP McManus-owned four-year-old was an impressive winner on his debut at the Foxrock circuit in mid-January and is a best-priced 12-1 for next month's Champion Bumper, although he is not certain to make the journey to the Cotswolds.

Officially trained by Aidan O'Brien, the Ballydoyle maestro has credited his son, Joseph, for preparing his National Hunt string and the once-raced four-year-old looks to make it two from two in the TRM Excellence In Equine Nutrition INH Flat Race.

O'Brien junior said: "He's by Galileo out of a Danehill mare and would appreciate better ground. He might not go to Cheltenham. We'll see how he gets on at Leopardstown on Sunday first and then talk to Frank (Berry) and JP.

"He's a good jumper and that's where his future will be."

Aspen Colorado will concede weight to each of his five rivals this weekend.

Jessica Harrington's Clonkeen Lad appears up against it having finished a distant fourth in the same Leopardstown heat last month, while The Sneaky Punter is the only other runner with previous experience having finished fifth at Down Royal.

The field is completed by three newcomers in Gordon Elliott's Brelade, the Barry Murphy-trained Balkalin and Twotensandalift from John Burke's yard.