Noel Meade is to mull over the options for Apache Stronghold following his second place in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday.
The County Meath trainer would like to keep the six-year-old to that distance of two and a half miles for the time being, but should Apache Stronghold run over Christmas, Meade may have to step him up to three miles.
That race would be the Topaz Novice Chase at Leopardstown because Meade is not keen on going for the only two and a half mile alternative, the Grade Two Greenmount Park Novice Chase at Limerick.
"Things didn't really go right for him. We didn't want to be making the running and that other horse (Real Steel) going out and jumping to the left wasn't a help," said Meade.
"Our horse didn't get into a proper rhythm, but hopefully there'll be another day.
"If he goes to Leopardstown at Christmas he will have to run in the three-mile race, so we will have to wait and see whether we are going to go for it. We will see what the situation is like when we get closer to the race.
"I would prefer for him to stay at two and a half, but we might be pushed to go to three miles as I don't really want to go to Limerick."
