Aran 'doubtful' for Punchestown

Noel Meade has issued a positive bulletin on his Powers Gold Cup hero Aran Concerto.

The fragile eight-year-old was having only his second start over fences yesterday when winning Fairyhouse’s Grade One prize by a short-head from Barker in a thrilling finish.

However, the Zaffaran gelding finished lame and Meade is unsure whether the Punchestown Festival will just come too soon for him.

“He’s a bit stiff, he’s actually had a little bit of filling in his good hind leg but he’s as good as I could have hoped and probably a little bit better than that,” said Meade.

“Hopefully a few days will see him right but we’ll just take it day by day with him.

“We’d have to think Punchestown is probably doubtful, we’ll see, we’ll just give him another couple of days before we make up our mind.”