Druid's Altar wins trial for Fred Winter

Druid's Altar could follow in the hoof-prints of two Cheltenham Festival winners next month as the Joseph O'Brien trained gelding landed the Naas Rated Novice Hurdle prep race at that racecourse today.

The last two renewals of today's race were won by Band Of Outlaws (2019, for Druid's Altar's trainer O'Brien) and Aramax (2020) whom each then won the Boodles-sponsored Fred Winter Hurdle at Cheltenham on their next starts.

Today Druid's Altar came through his own Cheltenham preparation in fine style and while challenged strongly by Zoffanien on the run-in, rallied well to see off that rival by two and a quarter lengths.

Winning jockey Hugh Morgan was registering a third winner for trainer O'Brien and afterwards, Paddy Power cut Druid's Altar's price to 14/1 from 25s for the Fred Winter Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Brendan Powell, assistant to Joseph O'Brien, later commented “he has a good attitude and stays well. Hugh (Morgan) said he was better there with a bit of company because he’s made it a few times.

“He was in top class company on his last few races and it’s nice to get his head in front again. He’s done it nicely in the end and he seems to cope with most types of ground.

“He’s a big horse and will jump a fence some day.”

Quotes from Alan Magee