Un De Sceaux set for Arkle challenge Willie Mullins believes it is time Un De Sceaux had the opportunity to show how good he is in Grade One company. The champion trainer has admitted he kept Un De Sceaux away from top opposition over hurdles but is keen for the talented seven-year-old to take on the best over fences. The only blot on Un De Sceaux's copybook in nine starts over jumps so far is when he fell on his fencing debut at Thurles in November. The French import made amends at Fairyhouse last month and is set to go for the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday. As a precaution against the weather, Mullins has given him an entry in the Grade Two Lightning Novices' Chase at Doncaster on Saturday. "The plan is to come to Leopardstown. He's in there, he's in Doncaster. I just stuck him in because there are so few two-mile races just in case the weather acts up here or there so we just have a choice," Mullins told At The Races. "We've been avoiding the issue with Un De Sceaux and going round the place in his hurdling career, but now we are going to let him run in Grade One races to see what happens." Un De Sceaux is favourite at a top-priced 9-4 for the Racing Post Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham in March.
