Aran Concerto powered up for Sunday service
The eight-year-old bounced back from injury when making a winning start t o his career over fences at Navan in November.
Although he missed an intended prep run at Navan two weeks ago, Meade is happy to let him take his chance at the weekend.
“Aran Concerto is in good form and, if everything goes to plan with him between now and Sunday, he will definitely run,” said the County Meath handler .
“We had hoped to run him at Navan a couple of weeks ago, but the ground dried up quickly so we decided it wasn’t worth the risk.
“We’re very happy him and Barry (Geraghty) came down to school him the other day and he jumped great.
“He had a spin this morning and we were delighted with the way he worked.
“It’s a big step for the horse to go back into this company after the problems he’s had, but we’ll just see how it goes.”
Aran Concerto is one of 14 entries for the two-and-a-half-mile contest, with Willie Mullins appearing to have a strong hand with four possibles including Barker and Golden Silver.
Trafford Lad is an interesting contender for Dusty Sheehy, while Paul Nolan is double-handed with Joncol and Moskova.
Nolan revealed that Moskova is less reliant on cut in the ground than Joncol.
The latter has won his last two starts, both at Naas.
The County Wexford trainer said: “He (Joncol) is a very nice horse who is only six and I have been very pleased with him this season.
“The plan is to run but it is definitely ground dependent as he has to have soft in the ground description, with it being yielding to soft at best.
“Hopefully the forecast rain comes and eases it to the way that he likes it.
“His jumping this season has been good but on better ground he might lack the experience for a fast run race over two and a half miles at Fairyhouse.”
Moskova is another to have won her two most recent starts, in mares races at Thurles and Limerick.
Nolan added: “There are a few different options with her and we’ll see what happens.
“She also certainly gets further than two and a half and her win at Limerick was over a couple of furlongs more.
“She is a very well-bred mare and, again, she is only six with more contests to come and she will be very nice for next season.
“She handles heavy but ran very well at the Punchestown Festival last year when third on a better surface and is not as ground dependent as Joncol.”
The ground at Fairyhouse is currently good to yielding.
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