Taipan likely to miss Moriarty

Made In Taipan is unlikely to take his chance in the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday with trainer Tom Mullins considering sending him straight to the Cheltenham Festival.

The seven-year-old looked good when scoring on his first two starts over fences before a disappointing fourth in the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

He subsequently failed to justify favouritism when second at Naas but Mullins has certainly not lost faith just yet saying, 'The horse is in great nick but I think this weekend's race will come too soon.'

'We were disappointed with him in Leopardstown a couple of starts ago and nothing really came up for that, so we ran him back quick at Naas as he likes the place.'

'I think he was too tired really and he had had a hard enough season up to that point. We were quite sure afterwards that what he needed was three weeks off, so we gave him that and he seems in great order.'

'Whether he runs before Cheltenham or not I wouldn't be sure, but the Arkle is his main target so we'll see how we go.'