Aranleigh To Sit Navan Test

Aranleigh is set to put his credentials on the line in the Ladbrokes.com Novice Hurdle at Navan on Saturday.

Tony Mullins' highly-regarded five-year-old is likely to bump into Philip Fenton's Woodbine Willie in the two-and-a-half-mile event.

The gelding finished third behind Cork All Star in Cheltenham's Champion Bumper and scraped home on his hurdling debut at Gowran Park last month.

'He's likely to run,' said Mullins

'He was a little laid back the last day and we'll be hoping for some improvement.

'This is going to be a better race. I hear that Woodbine Willie is running and he is going to take some beating ? he was second in a Champion bumper at Punchestown and he motored in last time over hurdles.

'I was happy with his performance last time because if you knew him he is so laid back.

'As far as I know, AP McCoy comes over to ride him and we'll see what he thinks ? he was impressed with him at Cheltenham.

'We'll know a lot more after the weekend.'

Aranleigh is currently 12-1 co-favourite with Fiveforthree and Shirley Casper for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with Cashmans.

(C) PA Sport