Anzadam canters to Grade Three glory at Naas

Anzadam strolled to a straightforward triumph for Willie Mullins in the Naas Racecourse Business Club Limestone Lad Hurdle.

The five-year-old was the 1-10 favourite and therefore expected to win at a canter, with his prior record unblemished after two wins in France and a Grade Three victory on seasonal debut in the WillowWarm Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

He was ridden by Paul Townend at the same grade at Naas, where he faced only two rivals in Gordon Elliott’s Beacon Edge and William Durkan’s Laafi.

As anticipated Anzadam had little trouble dismissing both, kicking clear over the final flight to cruise home 11 lengths ahead of Laafi to remain a 10-1 chance for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival – though his participation is not certain.

“That was a very good performance. Paul gave him a squeeze after the last and he quickened away nicely. There was no sign of him stopping,” said Mullins.

“He has a good engine and is climbing up the tree nicely. He could be anything.

“He’s in the Champion Hurdle but maybe we should wait for Aintree. That looks appealing and he’s still only five.

“The jump he put in at the third last I thought was extraordinary and showed me that we’ll have no trouble going novice chasing with him when we want.

“We’ll see how far we can go with hurdling and see what his owners would like to do.”