Update on Griffin Stars Kazal could step back up to three miles for the BGC Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot next month following his run at Navan. Trainer Eoin Griffin is also considering the Bar-One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on November 30 but is not keen on renewing rivalry with Catch Me, who had World Hurdle third Kazal back in fourth when winning the Lismullen Hurdle on Sunday. "We'll have a think about the Hatton's Grace, but he'll also be entered for the Long Walk Hurdle," said Griffin. "I suppose three miles is really his trip. We'll just a think about things. There's a lack of races for him in Ireland until Christmas which is disappointing. "We'll see how he is over the coming weeks and make our mind up about Fairyhouse or whether we'll go straight for the Long Walk. "Catch Me was the best horse yesterday, he stuck out a mile on the back of his run in a Listed race at Fairyhouse. He's a good horse, he was sixth in the Champion Hurdle. I think over two and a half miles, we might struggle to beat him. "I would say that fitness got Kazal on that ground. It was very heavy there, so I'd say he just badly needed the run." The Bar-One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse is definitely on the cards for Academy Sir Harry, however, thanks to his Navan win in the 'For Auction' Novice Hurdle. "He's just got a little bit of a cut on his fetlock which will probably hold him up for a week or so, but apart from that he's fine," Griffin went on. "It's only minor and nothing to worry about, he'll only miss a few days. The Royal Bond is three weeks away so there's plenty of time." The County Kilkenny trainer has ruled Lounaos out of the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday, but the mare could run instead at Cork the same day. "She's not going for the Greatwood. There's a race for her at Cork on Sunday, a two-mile hurdle race where the conditions suit her. I'll give her an entry for that," he added.
