Kazal Impresses First-time cheek-pieces had a very positive impact on Kazal as the seven-year-old recaptured his best to land the featured Grade 2 Ladbrokes.com Boyne Hurdle. On a surface as quick as he´d raced on, the French-bred swept aside any doubts on that score, leading from the seventh and putting in a powerful staying performance. Aitmatov and Footy Facts had no answer to the Barry Geraghty-ridden winner from the last, the chestnut going on for a comfortable 3 1/2L win. After an aborted two race chase campaign, Kazal lacked for fitness on his return to hurdling when third at Gowran, 24 days earlier, according to his trainer, Eoin Griffin. Afterwards, the south Co. Kilkenny-based operator suggested, "the last day was his first completed race for ten months so he was entitled to need it. "The cheek-pieces sharpened him up no end and he jumped brilliantly. He has an entry in the World Hurdle and with an ease in the ground he´ll go there." Twenty five to one seems to be the general quote now for Kazal for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on Thursday March 13th.
