Champion performance by Ned Ned Kelly returned to form at Leopardstown with a very convincing victory on testing ground in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle, writes Alan Magee.The heavily backed 11/8 favourite cruised alongside Liss A Paoraigh and Geos at the second last flight, and quickly put the issue beyond doubt when asked to quicken by Norman Williamson approaching the last. He quickly recovered from a mistake at that hurdle to beat Liss A Paoraigh by five lengths, with The French Furze staying on best of the remainder a further two lengths adrift in third. `He`s been working well at home, and has restored our confidence in him,` said trainer Edward O`Grady, who blames himself for running the gelding in three races too close together earlier this season.The six-year-old is likely to go straight for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, and bookmakers were all impressed with the performance. Sean Graham go 8/1 (from 16/1), and he is as short as 11/2 with Paddy Power. Istabraq is generally on offer at 2/1.Moscow Flyer is still on course for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham despite falling at halfway in the Baileys sponsored equivalent. Jessica Harrington`s charge was eased out to 8/1 (from 5`s) for the Festival after crumbling on landing at the fifth fence, and will bid to make quick amends at Punchestown next Saturday in the Tied Cottage Novice Chase.`It`s just one of those things. He`s so quick in the air that he didn`t get his landing gear out in time,` reflected Mrs Harrington afterwards, while rider Paul Moloney reported that `he just brushed the fence and skidded on landing`. Assessed, who was slightly hampered when the 4/6 favourite fell, is a top-priced 25/1 with Paddy Power for the `Arkle` after heading Phariwarmer before the last to score by 11 l1 lengths. `He was probably a bit lucky with Moscow Flyer falling, but he deserves a crack at Cheltenham now,` said winning trainer Willie Mullins.J P McManus` purchase of Pietro Vannucci on Friday provided an instant payback when the Noel Meade-trained gelding took the Waterford Crystal Novice Hurdle. Paul Carberry`s mount struck the front before the last, keeping on well to beat Native Jack by two and a half lengths with long-time leader Canary Wharf half a length further back.`I have been very easy on him since Christmas, but he`s improving all the time and travelled better today than he ever has before,` said Meade before adding, `I will have to talk to J P before making any plans, but I would love to run him in the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle (14/1 with Cashmans).` Direct Bearing got his jumping career off to a successful start when justifying favouritism in the opening Tote Account Maiden Hurdle. The five-year-old gelding was patiently ridden by Tony McCoy, challenging between horses in the straight for a half length victory over Star Clipper.`Tony gave him a beautiful ride as he hated the ground. He will go for a winners race, and then we can decide about Cheltenham,` said trainer Dermot Weld. Cashmans introduced him at 14/1 for the Supreme Novices Hurdle.
