Next Destination and Paul Townend leave their Naas rivals for dead© Photo Healy Racing
Out of a 'Liss' dam with a point-to-point win for the Costellos to start off, Next Destination has the background of a potential top-notcher. He looked every bit of that when slamming his rivals in the Hospitality At Naas Maiden Hurdle.
Paddy Power now go 10/1 from 14/1 about the Malcolm Denmark-owned and Willie Mullins-trained Next Destination for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham after his thirteen length win over Someday
Ridden by Paul Townend, Cheltenham bumper fourth placer Next Destination kicked the last out of the way before careering away up the run-in.
Big fancies Paloma Blue and Pallastor couldn't raise their efforts from between the last two and ended up finishing in third and fifth respectively.
"I was very taken by that in that ground on his first run of the season. He jumped great and I can't believe how much he picked up after the last," commented Townend.
"They can often improve from one year to the other. There were a lot of reputations going into the race and he definitely hasn't done himself any harm.
"I'd imagine he could stay further but the pace he showed there I'd say there are a lot of options for him."
Wow! Champion Bumper fourth Next Destination creates a mighty impression on hurdles debut at @NaasRacecourse: pic.twitter.com/xLCwvnHlQt— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 11, 2017
Wow! Champion Bumper fourth Next Destination creates a mighty impression on hurdles debut at @NaasRacecourse: pic.twitter.com/xLCwvnHlQt
Ballymore Novices Hurdle
Betfair 10/1 (from 16/1)
Albert Bartlett
Betfair 12/1 (from 25/1)
D.N. Russell, rider of Paloma Blue trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran keen and made mistakes.
(AM & EM)