Leopardstown the next Plan

Tatenen’s conqueror Follow The Plan is likely to have his next race in the Baileys Irish Arkle at Leopardstown on January 25 – as long as the ground is suitable.

Olivier McKiernan’s six-year-old beat Paul Nicholls’ ante-post Arkle favourite in the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase, despite having to concede 11lb.

Now the thinking is to go for another Grade One, but only if the ground is not bottomless.

“He’s in good order, he came out of the race in good form, we were delighted with him,” said McKiernan’s assistant, Adrian Keatley.

“The time before against Made In Taipan we weren’t too hard on him once he was beat, we were already thinking of Leopardstown

“You’d have to say that was the best novice chase run over two miles this year. I’d say Cooldine was in there to sharpen up his jumping but Tatenen was about 2-1 for the Arkle before that race and we’ve given him 11lb so it was a hell of a performance.

“He showed lots of guts because he was headed 150 yards out.

“If we get the same type of ground we’ll go for the Irish Arkle and the obvious place to take him after that if he wins would be Cheltenham.

“We’ll just take one race at a time though. The better ground definitely made a difference.”

Follow The Plan is as low as 8-1 for the Arkle in March with Betfred.