Mullins Outlines Aran Gameplan

Tony Mullins is keen to get a run into Aranleigh, third home in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

But like so many of his counterparts, the County Kilkenny handler is waiting for softer ground before he unleashes the JP McManus-owned gelding back into the fray.

'It's just depending on the weather because he is a huge horse and I wouldn't be keen on running him on fast ground,' said Mullins.

'I'm entering him for Saturday at Naas. The horse is ready to go and as soon as there is enough cut in the ground he will run.

'The plan at the moment is to give him two runs before Christmas and after that we should know whether he is a Cheltenham horse.

'The first two runs should tell us what trip he wants.'

Aranleigh is already 14-1 favourite with Stan James for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

(C) PA Sport