Aran At Concert Pitch

Noel Meade hopes to finalise Cheltenham Festival plans this weekend for his highly-rated Aran Concerto, who is set to appear in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday.

A wide-margin winner of his last two races, both at Navan, the six-year-old's victory in a Grade One event last time in mid-December saw him surge into 3-1 favourite for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle.

However, he still holds an entry in the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices? Hurdle over the minimum trip at Cheltenham and Meade hopes this outing over an intermediate distance of two miles and two furlongs should provide more clues about his future.

'That's exactly the plan ? the race should be a big help,' said Meade. 'The horse is in perfect shape at the moment.'

Of the 12 declared at the five-day stage, Meade has another two to choose from in Casey Jones and his Punchestown Champion Bumper winner Leading Run.

'Aran is a certain runner and I just left in the others in case the ground dried up,' explained Meade. 'That said I could have two runners, as Leading Run would be a possibility.'

Of the remainder, Edward O'Grady has a strong hand with Catch Me, who was just touched off by De Valira at the track over Christmas, and Medicinal, a very useful performer on the Flat for Dermot Weld who makes his debut for the yard having returned from a spell in France.

Paul Webber's De Soto is the only British entry, although he is more likely to run in the totesport Trophy at Newbury.

? PA Sport