Colonel wins Christmas cracker The Sandra Hughes trained Lieutenant Colonel recorded his second consecutive Grade 1 success as he outbattled Jetson in the Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle. The five-year-old son of Kayf Tara beat Jetson in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle on his last start at Fairyhouse and he confirmed the form today. Sent off a 4/1 chance he was settled in second by Bryan Cooper with Jetson (5/1) attempting to make all under Davy Russell for Jessica Harrington. Lieutenant Colonel drew alongside Jetson in the early straight and they had a tremendous battle from there with the winner getting the upper hand in the closing stages, going on to score by three parts of a length. Monksland (5/1) ran on to take third a further five lengths back under Paul Carberry for Noel Meade while At Fishers Cross (7/2 fav) was another length back in fourth under Tony McCoy for Rebecca Curtis. Sandra Hughes said afterwards: "He was very, very good. We thought that he stayed and I'm delighted. He was brilliant. "He's very economical in his jumping. He stays well and has a bit of class - that's what you need in the three-mile Grade 1. "Bryan was fantastic on him. I don't have to worry when he is riding. "Christmas was very hard as you can imagine but this is fantastic for the lads in the yard and it's what we work for everyday. "We'll take him home now and have a look. I'll talk to Michael and Eddie. The World Hurdle at Cheltenham is his main aim this season." Richard Hughes added: "I'm very proud of her. She's up at 6.30am every morning. I'll stay out of the limelight as it's her day." The winner is now 14/1 from 25'€™s for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March with bookmaker Paddy Power. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
