Blazing Khal moved to the pinnacle 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 saved him off the monitor for 428 days.

Byrnes recommended early within the new yr his secure star was “50-50 at finest” to make this yr’s Cheltenham Pageant – however having been happy along with his subsequent progress, he allowed him to make his comeback in Grade Two firm at Navan.

Beneath 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 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 stated: “It is aid actually with the younger fella driving him and all. I assumed he gave him a beautiful experience and he settled grand for him.

“He is positively an excellent horse. He was working properly and doing numerous work over the previous couple of weeks. We did count on 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 dangerous, I suppose. We might have most well-liked to have him out prior to now, however it’s what it’s. We are able to go to Aintree if we do not make Cheltenham.”

He added: “He was pretty match at present however naturally with race health you’d hope he’d come on once more.

“You all the time 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.

Probably the most profitable coach in Pageant historical past already homes the ante-post favorite for the standard 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 crushed at odds-on in his first two hurdle races, however made it third time fortunate with a formidable show at Naas final month to earn himself a step up in grade.

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 monitor 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 House owners EBF Novice Hurdle, however was unable to withstand the strong-travelling Hunters Yarn, who in the end gained comfortably by six lengths, with Think about staying on for second and Inothewayurthinkin pipping American Mike to 3rd.

Paddy Energy reacted by slicing 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.