Kelly will face Istabraq says Magnier Rumours that Ned Kelly will miss the Smurfit Champion Hurdle to avoid a clash with Istabraq have been firmly rebutted by John Magnier.His owner quashed the speculation, which had arisen as Magnier is a friend of JP McManus in whose colours Istabraq races and is also owner of the Ballydoyle stable where Aidan O`Brien trains the four-time champion hurdler.Magnier is currently in Barbados but he stressed that Ned Kelly, who is trained by Edward O`Grady, is an intended runner in Tuesday`s Cheltenham showpiece.'If he`s right, he`ll run,' he told the Daily Telegraph. 'We`d love to beat Istabraq as much as anyone. Don`t forget there are a lot of other horses to beat in the race.'Ned Kelly is quoted as short as 5-1 for the Champion Hurdle by the Tote, having won the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown last time out.
