Concerto goes on Cheltenham festival trial

Since only two Hennessy winners have ever gone on to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup, it looks like any major clues emerging from today for next month's festival will come from the other major trials, with Aran Concerto's appearance in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle probably taking pride of place.

Memorably labelled after his debut as "potentially the best I've had" by champion trainer Noel Meade, Aran Concerto's efforts will determine which race he runs in at Cheltenham.

The Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle currently appears more likely and Aran Concerto is already a clear favourite for that. However, the second favourite, Catch Me, is also a runner today and this is will be one exceptionally interesting four-runner race.

Arrive Sir Clive is also a Cheltenham hopeful and Leading Run was a champion bumper performer so very little can be taken for granted.

One thing that could be, however, is Catch Me's appreciation for a greater stamina test than he got at Christmas and he could be the one to finally get Aran Concerto into a scrap.

The other Grade One, the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase, has 10 runners and while Cailin Alainn looks a clear best of the staying division in Ireland this season, her absence today could leave the way open for Chelsea Harbour to win the €110,000 pot. Tom Mullins's horse is in rare form and is already in possession of a 135 rating. Any slight improvement on that might be enough.

Whyso Mayo, the hunter champion from Cheltenham and Punchestown last year, made a winning return at Thurles last month and should be hard to beat this afternoon, while Island Life's penchant for bog-like conditions looks to have been catered for by the recent snow and a Grade Two looks his for the taking in the Cashmans Juvenile Hurdle.

Willie Mullins has described Mad Fish as being among his two best chances of a sixth Festival Bumper win at Cheltenham so there will be no rush home before the last today. Significant improvement looks assured from Mad Fish's debut second to Aranleigh at Fairyhouse.

The maiden hurdle at Naas tomorrow will be no ordinary one as last year's Cheltenham bumper winner Hairy Molly again tackles Icklingham, the first National Hunt runner trained by John Oxx in over 20 years. There was lots to like about both their debuts behind Scotsirish at Leopardstown but Hairy Molly looked likely to come on significantly for the run and can confirm placings.