Ned Kelly had little more than an exercise canter to beat two rivals on his reappearance in the Anglo Irish Bank Hurdle at Down Royal.
Norman Williamson sent last season's top novice past Joe Cullen at the fourth last, and quickly went clear to score by an effortless 20 lengths. 'That tells us that he has trained on, and is heading in the right direction', said trainer Edward O'Grady, who added, 'I'm very pleased and relieved, and we will have to consider the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown next Saturday on the way to the Hattons Grace at Fairyhouse.'
Paddy Power reacted by cutting Ned Kelly to 8/1 (from 10's) for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, with Istabraq their 6/4 favourite. Belfast firm Sean Graham left the O'Grady-trained five-year-old unchanged at 10/1.
Moscow Flyer, a faller on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse last month, made no mistake in the Seacat Beginners Chase. The eight-year-old gelding put in a fine round of jumping, leading after two out to beat Royal Jake by a comfortable four lengths.
'It turned into a bit of a sprint in the straight, and he will have learned alot from that run. We will keep him to two miles, and he could turn out again in the Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown next Saturday', said trainer Jessica Harrington.
French import Heezapistol got his jumping career off to a winning start when holding on by a diminishing head from Moore's Law in the Cusp Ltd 3YO Maiden Hurdle. Both hurdling newcomers showed their inexperience with mistakes at the final flight, but David Casey's mount gained a vital advantage as Moore's Law lost considerable momentum with his blunder.
'He tends to be a bit keen, and David felt he would be better in a better race. I was generally happy with the way he jumped for his first run over hurdles, and he will probably go next for the Grade 3 Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse on December 1,' said trainer Willie Mullins.
Alan Magee
