Kiely tunes up for Festival

CHAMP KIELY’s odds for the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival have been halved to 8-1 after he made all the running to win the Grade One Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle yesterday. The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old beat Irish Point two and a quarter lengths in the hands of Danny Mullins, with stablemate Grangeclare West losing his unbeaten record in fifth.

The result boosted the form of the Royal Bond Novices’ Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month, when Irish Point and Champ Kiely were second and fourth respectively to supreme Novices’ Hurdle hope Marine Nationale. However, Danny Mullins claimed yesterday’s win was a better reflection of Champ Kiely’s ability, saying: ‘The Royal Bond was a bit of a messy race. I believed he had something like that in him, and he’s gone and proved it.’ Meanwhile, a tilt at the Mares’ Hurdle with Honeysuckle at the Festival has been ruled out. Honeysuckle won the race in 2020 but a shot at the Champion Hurdle for a third time or retirement are the only options now for Rachael Blackmore’s mount. Honeysuckle will bid to ensure the former is the plan when she runs in next month’s Irish Champion Hurdle, her first start since her only defeat — in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse.