Ned and Moscow impress at Down Royal

Ned Kelly looks set for a profitable season following a highly impressive comeback in the Anglo Irish Bank Hurdle at Down Royal…

Ned Kelly looks set for a profitable season following a highly impressive comeback in the Anglo Irish Bank Hurdle at Down Royal this afternoon.

Edward O`Grady`s gelding effortlessly dismissed Joe Cullen in the three horse contest with the only other competitor, Theseus, always behind and never a danger.

Norman Williamson oozed confidence on the 2/7 favourite and was content to get a lead off Joe Cullen in the early stages.

He let his mount stride up to join Willie Mullins` charge at the half-way point and the issue was settled in a matter of strides after the fourth last as the imposing son of Be My Native sauntered clear.

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Williamson, however, made sure that he got a blow into the Champion Hurdle hope - throwing the reins at him between the last two flights to make him stretch out.

He eased down after the last and the pair hacked to the post for a 20-length victory in what was little more than a school.

Moscow Flyer got off the mark over fences with a comfortable victory in the Seacat Beginners Chase.

Jessica Harrington`s gelding, who twice capitalised on falls by Istabraq last season, had taken a tumble on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse last month but bounced back in good style this afternoon.

Barry Geraghty gave the former top-class hurdler a fine education over the larger obstacles, conserving his mount until the run to the penultimate fence and doing only as much as was required to win by four-and-a-half lengths from Royal Jake.

Tuesday was four-lengths further back in third.