Mullins keeping Chelsea's options open

Racing : Tom Mullins is no hurry to decide which one of two lofty engagements to give Chelsea Harbour at Leopardstown over Christmas…

Racing: Tom Mullins is no hurry to decide which one of two lofty engagements to give Chelsea Harbour at Leopardstown over Christmas. The eight-year-old will run in either the Paddy Power Handicap Chase on December 27th or the Grade One Lexus Chase the following day.

The target looked like being the €190,000 Paddy Power but Chelsea Harbour was a given 5lb penalty for winning at Navan earlier this month which brings his weight up to 11st 12lb.

That has brought the €200,000 Lexus into the equation though the gelding would be meeting classier rivals on equal terms.

"I suppose he had to get something and he got 5lb, so it's thrown us a bit. We've not decided which race he goes for, but he'll go for one or the other," said the Co Kilkenny trainer.

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"He's in really good form and we couldn't be happier with him."

Made In Taipan was also successful on the same Navan card and is set to run at Leopardstown in the Durkan New Homes Novice Chase on Boxing Day.

"He's in great nick as well. All being well he'll definitely go for the two-mile-one-furlong novice chase there," Mullins went on.

The trainer has a third possible high-profile runner at the four-day meeting in Oscar Dan Dan, who holds an entry in the paddypower.com future Champions Novice Hurdle on December 27th.

"He's going to work tomorrow or Wednesday and I'm optimistic he'll work well. If he does he'll go for the Grade One in Leopardstown," Mullins added.