Mullins plans Cheltenham warm-up for Chesterfield

Seamus Mullins says Chesterfield will return to action in February before contesting the Racing Post Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham.

Mullins had been planning to send Chesterfield to Doncaster for the Lightning Novices' Chase later this month but he feels that race may come too soon for his charge.

The trainer is now looking to send the nine-year-old hurdler out in February ahead of a tilt at the Arkle.

“Chesterfield gave himself a little bang after his last race at Kempton. He has not missed much work as such, but he has been on the easy list,” he said, as reported by Sky Sports.

“We wanted to aim him back at the Lightning Novices' Chase at Doncaster, but he has only started coming back cantering so he probably won't make it back for that, so we will look at something early in February.

“The aim is still the Arkle – he will have an entry in the Grand Annual, although I'm not as keen on that.

“I'd love to have a crack at the Arkle as I was fourth in it before with Farmer Jack [in 2003].

“This horse deserves to have a crack in something like the Arkle.”