Only two line up against Ned Kelly Unbeaten hurdler Ned Kelly faces an apparently simple task in landing yet another victory tomorrow - after frightening off most of the opposition.He is one of only three declared runners for the Anglo Irish Bank Hurdle at Down Royal.The five-year-old gelding, trained by Edward O`Grady, will face only Joe Cullen, from Willie Mullins` stable, and Theseus, who represents Pat Hughes in the two-mile event.Ned Kelly, who is by Be My Native, has won last six starts and jumped well on his reappearance when beating Kilcash Castle by a length in the Powers Gold Label Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown in May.Norman Williamson, who partnered Ned Kelly to his odds-on victory that day, again takes the mount.Ned Kelly is William Hill`s 8-1 second favourite for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle behind Istabraq, who is on 11-10.Joe Cullen may have beaten Ned Kelly in last year`s Cheltenham bumper but Mullins is under no illusions about the task facing his charge this time.He said: 'Ned Kelly is the one to beat. All he has to do is turn up to win.'He added of Joe Cullen: 'He is all right but I don`t expect him to beat Ned Kelly. I was originally planning on a race next week.'I would be quite happy to get some place money. Over hurdles, there is about 20lb between us and I doubt we will make up that. Maybe later in the season we might.'The ground will suit us but it will suit Ned Kelly as well.'The going at Down Royal is currently given as yielding, with good to yielding on the chase course.
