Moriarty the target for Aranleigh

Aranleigh is to sidestep the MCR Chase at Leopardstown on Saturday and wait for the Dr PJ Moriarty Chase there next month.

Trainer Tony Mullins landed the latter prize in 2003 with Barrow Drive and is hoping Aranleigh can book his ticket for the RSA Chase to the Cheltenham Festival.

Following a long lay-off, the JP McManus-owned eight-year-old has won both his starts this season and is reported to be in good shape.

"At the moment we intend to go for the Grade One on February 7 instead to see if we have an RSA horse," said the Gowran-based handler.

"He's been working well and did his latest piece of work this morning and that went well.

"His pedigree suggested two miles might be his best trip, but the jockeys who have ridden him say he's better at two and a half miles plus.

"For the moment we don't know if will get three miles one or not which will be the deciding factor with the RSA."