Aran bidding to bounce back Aran Concerto will bid to put a couple of disappointing efforts behind him in the Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday. The three-time Grade One winner travelled well for a long way in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on his first outing of the campaign, but weakened quickly and tipped up at the second last. A bad mistake put paid to his chance in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and trainer Noel Meade is hoping the apple of his eye can bounce back this weekend. "We just want to give Aran some more experience. It's not ideal running him over two miles and a furlong but we just want to get a run into him," said Meade. "Hopefully we can get him a bit of confidence and he gets round in once piece and enjoys it. "He was travelling well and going really nicely in the Lexus and then he made a terrible mistake and that was the end of it. "Davy (Condon) actually thought he had gone wrong and pulled him up, which I was happy about as I didn't want to see him coming down again. "He's made bad mistakes in his last couple of races which is unlike him as he's normally a brilliant jumper. He came out of his last race fine and hopefully he'll run a better race tomorrow." Meade has given his charge entries in both the Gold Cup and the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but is keen not to look too far ahead at this stage. "Cheltenham is still a long way away and two months is an awful long time in the life of a racehorse," Meade continued. "I was surprised one or two didn't enter for the Gold Cup because of Kauto Star and Denman as anything can happen between now and then. "I don't wish any harm to either of them, but they could both get injured and not run and then people will be wishing they had entered. "If you're not in you can't run, so we thought we'd give him the entries and then at least we have the option." Just five runners go to post for Sunday's Grade Two contest with champion trainer Willie Mullins represented by both Scotsirish and Snowy Morning. Last year's winner Mansony takes his chance for Arthur Moore while Rare Bob makes his first start of the campaign for Dessie Hughes.
