Blazing Khal moved to the top of ante-post lists for the Stayers’ Hurdle after making a profitable return from a prolonged absence within the William Hill Boyne Hurdle at Navan.
The Charles Byrnes-trained seven-year-old gained a few Grade Two novice occasions at Cheltenham within the autumn of 2021, however a subsequent damage stored him off the observe for 428 days.
Byrnes urged early within the new 12 months his steady star was “50-50 at greatest” to make this 12 months’s Cheltenham Competition – however having been happy together with his subsequent progress, he allowed him to make his comeback in Grade Two firm at Navan.
Underneath a affected person experience from the coach’s son Philip Byrnes, the seven-year-old moved easily into competition from the house flip and shook off any rustiness to drag three lengths away from the gallant Meet And Greet. Even-money favorite Saint Sam was a little bit disappointing in fifth.
Stayers’ Hurdle sponsors Paddy Energy make Blazing Khal a 5/2 joint-favourite for the three-mile hurdling showpiece, together with Teahupoo. Coral minimize the winner’s odds to three/1 from 5/1.
Byrnes mentioned: “It is aid actually with the younger fella driving him and all. I believed he gave him a beautiful experience and he settled grand for him.
“He is positively an excellent horse. He was working properly and doing a number of work over the previous few weeks. We did anticipate an enormous run, he was pretty straight.
“With him it is daily, however naturally we’ll be considering of Cheltenham, after all. We have had so many false dawns with him. It is simply been little, niggly issues.
“The timing isn’t too unhealthy, I suppose. We’d have most popular to have him out prior to now, however it’s what it’s. We will go to Aintree if we do not make Cheltenham.”
He added: “He was pretty match as we speak however naturally with race health you’d hope he’d come on once more.
“You at all times have the bounce issue and ideally you’d need a second run, however it’s what it’s and we’re delighted to get him again.”
Hunters Yarn enters Supreme image
Hunters Yarn additional strengthened Willie Mullins’ potential hand for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham subsequent month with an authoritative victory in Listed firm at Navan.
Essentially the most profitable coach in Competition historical past already homes the ante-post favorite for the normal curtain-raiser in Facile Vega, whereas his Leopardstown conqueror of final weekend Il Etait Temps and Impaire Et Passe are different high-class operators within the combine for the Closutton handler.
Three-time bumper winner Hunters Yarn was overwhelmed at odds-on in his first two hurdle races, however made it third time fortunate with a powerful show at Naas final month to earn himself a step up in grade.
Hunters Yarn and Paul Townend pull away from American Mike at Navan
American Mike, runner-up to Facile Vega in final season’s Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, was the 11/8 favorite to bounce again from a below-par effort on the observe within the autumn, with Hunters Yarn a 3/1 shot within the palms of Paul Townend.
American Mike minimize out a lot of the working within the I.N.H. Stallion Homeowners EBF Novice Hurdle, however was unable to withstand the strong-travelling Hunters Yarn, who finally gained comfortably by six lengths, with Think about staying on for second and Inothewayurthinkin pipping American Mike to 3rd.
Paddy Energy reacted by chopping Hunters Yarn to eight/1 from 25s for the Supreme of their non-runner no guess market, whereas Coral provide 16s from 33/1 ante-post.
