Mullins looks to the future

Tony Mullins believes the prospect of good ground will boost the chance of Aranleigh in the paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown tomorrow.

The five-year-old, owned by JP McManus, is unbeaten in two runs over hurdles, but his head victory at Gowran and his dead-heat at Navan have both come on testing ground.

“I think we’ll see a better side of him on this ground,” said Mullins.

“He hasn’t done anything stylish yet, but he’s done everything that’s been asked of him. We think there’s more to come and tomorrow will tell us.

“He acted very well on good ground in the Cheltenham bumper (when third) and he’s had to cope with heavy the twice he’s run over hurdles.”

Aranleigh gets a rematch with Cheltenham winner Cork All Star, trained by Jessica Harrington, in a quality field of nine declared for the Grade Two heat.

Noel Meade is double-handed with Narquois and Antipode while other runners include Dermot Weld’s Majestic Concorde and Forpadydeplasterer, trained by Thomas Cooper.

“It’s a good race and Majestic Concorde and Cork All Star look the ones to beat,” added Mullins.