NED KELLY STILL UNBEATEN OVER HURDLES

Cheltenham Supreme Novices' Hurdle ante-post favourite Ned Kelly kept his unbeaten record over hurdles intact but not without giving his supporters some anxious moments during the concluding stages of the INH Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Edward O'Grady's gelded son of Be My Native came under strong pressure on the run to the penultimate flight and looked destined to lose his unbeaten tag. But, to the credit of both horse and rider Norman Williamson, the 1 / 2 market leader battled on tenaciously after a fluent jump at the last to regain the advantage on the run-in.

After coming home with a length to spare over a gallant Native Endurance with Penny Rich a further two-and-a-half lengths adrift in third, bookmaker reaction was to make Sue Magnier's five-year-old a best price 11/4 chance for Cheltenham honours next month.

`He'll be more fluent on better ground -he doesn't like that ground, ` declared O'Grady before he added, `Norman said he felt he was beaten at the second last but he battled back like a good horse. We've left a bit to work on and hopefully that will leave him right.`

The O'Grady/Williamson alliance also struck a winning cord in the opening Lime Hill Maiden Hurdle when Best Grey put his head in front where it mattered at the expense of Adamant Approach and Ruby Walsh in a thriller.

The Tied Cottage Novice Chase proved a bit of a damp squib when Knife Edge and Takagi were absentees resulting in a depleted four-runner field. The former was withdrawn with a lung infection while Edward O'Grady's dual winner was reported to be off feed.

The contest still worked out well for favourite backers when Arthur Moore's Glenelly Gale toyed with his rivals throughtout the journey under an ultra confident Conor O'Dwyer before the pair forged clear on the run to the final fence on their way to scooping the #22,750 winners purse for Plumbridge, Co Tyrone owner Frank Bradley.

Tramore-based Paul Roche, who acquired a training licence when his father John retired last October, recorded his biggest success to date when Northern Sound and Garrett Cotter defeated Call Me Dara in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase.

Favourite backers looked to heading towards a win dividend when Kings Valley loomed up ominously rounding the home turn but the 11/4 fav.crashed out resulting in rider Norman Williamson been forced to stand down for the remainder of the day after taking a slight knock to his head.

`Garrett lost his stick a few fences out but she jumped really well today. She'll be entered for the Kim Muir in the morning and after that she's entitled to go there,` said a delighted former rider Roche.

Garrett Cotter was back in the winners enclosure again after he forced Liam Burke's 10/1 chance Magical Approach up close home to touch off Unforgotton Star.

Bobbyjo's participation in the Aintree Grand National is now in doubt after the 1999 National hero finished lame after trailing in eighth behind Northern Sound.

'He has a slight fracture on the back of his near-fore knee and we`ll get it looked at in the morning,' said a stable spokesperson.

Willie Mullins added another string to his ever-incresing Cheltenham bumper bow when Summer In Siberia came from off the pace under a confident James Nash to slam stable-companion Mossy Green in the finale. 'He ran a bit free at Punchestown last May but he goes to Cheltenham after that.'

Summer In Siberia is a best priced 10/1 shot for the Cheltenham bumper. BF