Well-known and colourful trainer Oliver Brady has the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle in mind for his stable star Ebadiyan following his narrow win in the Listed Limestone Lad Hurdle, defeating 4/7 favourite Muirhead in the process.
Ebadiyan made the running and although headed two out, the son of Daylami responded well to a strong drive from jockey John Cullen, to eventually wear down Muirhead, under Paul Carberry on his second ride back from suspension, to win by the narrowest of margins.
As is now the 'tradition', Brady exercised his vocal cords in the winner's enclosure to a thrilled, if not packed, attendance.
Following his briefing to the crowd, Brady later reported “I was a little worried about the ground coming here but I knew he'd have a big chance today as he scored wrong after his last run, which was too bad to be true.”
The Co Monaghan based trainer added “Ebadiyan has three options at Cheltenham and while the World Hurdle and Coral Cup are possibilities, the Champion Hurdle is his probable target.”
“I'd also like to praise the ride John Cullen gave the horse. Plenty of people advised me to 'jock him off' after the horse ran out at Cheltenham last March but I'm not like that and stay loyal to my jockeys – he gave Ebadiyan some ride today!”
Brady also advertised his own Cheltenham Preview Night on February 23, for charity, which is to be feature “all the Monaghan football team and most of the top celebrities in racing!”
Noel Meade, trainer of runner-up Muirhead, later reported “he came there with every chance from the second last but I don't subscribe to the view that he failed to stay the trip. He seems sound but we'll have him scoped now.”
