Colonel Braxton and Rostropovich are both likely to be among the Irish raiding party at Cheltenham in March after advertised their prospects for the Royal &SunAlliance Novice Hurdle in front of a bumper crowd at Naas yesterday.
Colonel Braxton overcame an eight month layoff for an impressive success in the 25 runner Gowla Power-Pak Maiden Hurdle. The Dessie Hughes-trained gelding was up with the pace throughout for a 13 length verdict over Doonaree by 13L.
'He goes on the ground, has a bit of toe and stays for ever,' said Hughes, who will bring Sue Magnier's gelding back here for a novice later this month. Paddy Power go 25/1 for the 'SunAlliance', while Cork firm Cashmans were more impressed going 16's.
Rostropovich is just 12/1 with Powers for the same Cheltenham event despite having to really battle for a winning jumping debut in the Allan Foxe Estates Maiden Hurdle. The Mouse Morris-trained grey responded gamely for David Casey to beat Kadoun by half a length. The heavily-backed Suave Native dropped out tamely in the straight, and was found to have a respiratory infection.
'It was a good performance in that ground as he has a real daisy cutting action,' said Morris, who will target the SunAlliance rather than the Triumph Hurdle.
Risk Accessor was another to score in workmanlike fashion in the featured Woodlands Park 100 Slaney Novice Hurdle, heading Bob Justice at the final flight for a 2L victory in this Grade 3 event. 'I was very disappointed with him at Leopardstown over Christmas. He has loads of ability but I'm not sure if he puts it all in,' said trainer Christy Roche. The Curragh handler later doubled up when Like-A-Butterfly landed the bumper in great style.
