Irish Level introduced himself as a serious participant within the staying division with an authoritative show within the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Skilled by Gordon Elliott, the five-year-old was a Grade One-winning novice at Aintree within the spring and returned to motion this season with a victory over the helpful mare Magical Zoe.
This represented a steep rise in grade, nevertheless, in opposition to final 12 months’s winner House By The Lee, Asterion Forlonge and Buddy One.
By the point House By The Lee had cried sufficient on the flip for dwelling, Jack Kennedy got here looming up between horses on Irish Level, the closely backed even-money favorite.
Asterion Forlonge was the one one to go together with him however solely briefly and Irish Level cruised to an 11-length success.
He runs in Brian Acheson’s Robcour colors, who have already got one official Stayers’ Hurdle contender in Teahupoo. Coral make the pair their 4-1 joint-favourites for the race in March.
Picture:
Irish Level at Leopardstown with Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliott
“Jack mentioned he would have executed extra in a bit of work from home,” mentioned Elliott. “He was very skilled, settled and did the whole lot nice.
“You’re all the time fearful stepping as much as three miles. It is a good race to win, we have a pair for that division now and it is a good downside to have.
“We have a terrific bunch of horses and Jack mentioned to me there that every one I’ve to do now could be to verify to separate them up.
“He might be a horse that we might maintain for Aintree, we’ll take pleasure in immediately and see what occurs. The horse was superb and I believed it was a terrific efficiency.
“I believed he was so relaxed that he ticked all of the containers to remain, however you’re all the time nervous till he does it.
“Jack mentioned he really thought midway down the again that he was so relaxed, however he mentioned when he gave him a squeeze he leapt straight again on it.”