Cuan Na Grai to make chasing debut in Arkle
The eight-year-old boasts some smart form over the smaller obstacles and was far from disgraced when beaten into seventh in The Ladbroke at Ascot last month.
Nolan admits he is asking a lot of his charge by pitching him straight into Grade One company for his fencing bow but he feels the race is a suitable opportunity to give him some experience.
“I think he will take his chance and I know we are maybe raising the bar a bit high for him for his first run over fences, but he might as well run in this against a small field,” said Nolan.
“Touch wood he seems to jump very well and he has had lots of experience over hurdles so we thought we might as well go to Leopardstown where they have lovely fences. If he gets a clear round we’ll be happy.
“We could go for a beginners’ chase at Fairyhouse and get turned over as favourite whereas in the Arkle if you finish fourth or fifth and run a respectable race, he’d learn every bit as much.”
Willie Mullins currently has three possibles for the Grade One contest in Cooldine, Golden Silver and Jayo, while Forpadydeplasterer could take his chance for Tom Cooper.
Follow The Plan took the scalp of Tatenen on his latest outing at Leopardstown, while the field is completed by British raider Raysrook.
