Rule The World, near side, comes to challenge King Shabra in Naas© Photo Healy Racing
Rule The World showed no ill-effects from the fractured pelvis sustained six months ago, as he was driven out to win the two and a half mile hurdle at Naas on his comeback run.
Having run second to The New One in the Neptune at the Cheltenham Festival in March, expectations have been raised for the six-year-old and connections will be delighted to have this outing successfully navigated. King Shabra led the six-runner field with Rule The World settled in fourth. Davy Russell, in the Gigginstown colours, then pushed his charge into second coming to the last and from there pushed him out to score by two and a half lengths and reward 6/4f punters.
King Shabra at 12/1 was rewarded for his front-running endeavours by taking second-place money.
Handler Mouse Morris said: “We thought he was a goner [due to injury]. I’ve no plans, we’ll see how he is in the morning. He’ll stay hurdling this season.
“It’s just great to have him back. He looks a chaser in the making. Two and a half miles would be his trip. He wouldn’t mind going further.”
Paddy Power has introduced Rule The World into the market for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham at 16/1.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
