Navan Report:Trafford Lad's victory in the Barry and Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle proved the highlight of a fruitful afternoon for Tom Doyle at Navan. The rider initiated a 48 to 1 double aboard the Dusty Sheehy-trained gelding in the Grade One feature over two and a half miles.
Sent off an 8 to 1 chance, Trafford Lad battled past Noel Meade's Gem Daly after the last to register a one-and-a-quarter-length victory. The five-year-old is unbeaten in two starts over obstacles and William Hill make him a 33 to 1 chance for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Doyle had been based in Britain for nine years but decided to return home to take up a job with Best Mate's former jockey and now trainer, Jim Culloty.
"These are the days I came back to Ireland for. That's my first Grade One winner since I came back," said Doyle "There is no doubt it was a gamble to come back. I started out with Dusty so it's lovely to ride a big winner for him as he gave me a start in the game. He's improved today and I think he will improve again as he is a big horse and he is just not sharp with his jumping."
Sheehy, who endured a miserable November following the lacklustre display of stable star Justified in the Clonmel Oil Chase and the death of smart novice chaser Rundown, now has his sights set on Cheltenham.
"I said all along he was a right horse," he explained. "I approached two owners to buy him but they said they didn't want to buy a point-to-pointer. He fell in his only point-to-point when he would have won.
"He's 17 hands high and still improving and is a fantastic chaser in the making. He might go to Limerick at Christmas but he is more likely to go to the Slaney Hurdle at Naas in January.
"The Ballymore Properties Hurdle at Cheltenham is the ultimate aim this season."
Doyle completed his brace as Culloty's King Vic struck in the Betfair Handicap Hurdle.
Noel Meade and Paul Carberry deprived Sweet Kiln of victory once again as Jazz Messenger got up to take the Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle in the dying strides.
Carberry denied Sweet Kiln aboard Aitmatov in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle earlier this month and although this was slightly more comfortable, Jazz Messenger (2 to 1) only hit the front inside the final 100 yards.
Doyle set only a steady pace in front on Sweet Kiln (8 to 11 favourite) before kicking on in the straight. However, Jazz Messenger's superior flat speed after the last took him to a three-quarter-length victory.
William Hill left Jazz Messenger unchanged at 20 to 1 for the Champion Hurdle.
"I always though he might get two and a half miles, he got a mile and a half on the flat and probably would have got two miles if we tried," said Meade.
"I told Paul not to let Sweet Kiln get away, be on her trail at the start and then ride your own race. He jumped fantastic today.
"I'm not sure where he'll go next. If it's dry he will probably stay at home and go to Leopardstown but he could go to Kempton. Harchibald definitely goes to Kempton but Aitmatov will not."
Meade made it a double in the closing bumper when Corskeagh Royale (13 to 8 favourite) sprinted clear two out in the hands of Nina Carberry.
Genitive Marina (5 to 4 favourite) made a winning debut over fences but only after both Tex Morgan and Intimaters came down two out when disputing the lead.
