Royal Kahala heads to Cheltenham via Gowran

Royal Kahala will have one more run at Gowran Park next week as trainer Peter Fahey bids to have her in prime condition for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The daughter of Flemensfirth recorded a career best at Leopardstown last month when getting up close home to touch off Heaven Help Us in the Grade 3 Advent Surety Irish EBF Mares Hurdle.

The Cheltenham Grade 1 has been the plan all season and the Monasterevin trainer gave an update on Racing TV saying: “Royal Kahala is in good nick and she came out of her race in Leopardstown well.

“The plan at the moment is that she will go for the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran on Thyestes day (January 27) and we are working back from Cheltenham.”

Royal Kahala is a top-priced 9/1 chance with Paddy Power and Betfair for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, with Telmesomethinggirl generally the 4/1 favourite.

Fahey also had news of his giant staying chaser The Big Dog who was pulled up before halfway following a bad mistake last time in the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.

“The Big Dog is not in the Thyestes. He might come back to Punchestown for the National Trial that he won last year.”