Ned Kelly shows his battling qualities

Norman Williamson ended the day on the sidelines but in time may look back happily on yesterday as the occasion when the exciting Ned Kelly proved himself a true Cheltenham contender.

Edward O'Grady's charge ultimately landed the 1 to 2 odds in the INH Novice Hurdle, but it was the sort of struggle that moved the bookmakers to lengthen his odds for the Gerrard Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the festival.

Williamson later took a crashing fall from the National Trial favourite, Kings Valley, and was stood down from his two remaining rides.

But even by then the more reflective were examining Ned Kelly's length defeat of the outsider, Native Endurance, in a more positive light.

"I was very happy with that. He hasn't run since Christmas, he hated the ground and we've left a bit to work on," O'Grady said. But it was Williamson's report of when Ned Kelly looked to be in serious trouble at the second last that really encouraged him.

"He looked beat two out but what I liked was the way he battled. His heart is in the right place, which makes me think he'll like the hill at Cheltenham," O'Grady added.

Williamson and O'Grady had an even tighter struggle in the first race, but Best Grey eventually short headed Adamant Approach, having been headed on the run-in.

The Lambourn-based rider also looked set to pick up the National Trial when looking to have timed his challenge perfectly on Kings Valley, only for the Noel Meade runner to take a crashing fall at the second last. The 12 to 1 shot, Northern Sound, took advantage to pick up the first prize and earn herself at tilt at the Kim Muir Trophy at Cheltenham. Her rider, Garrett Cotter, later doubled up with Magical Approach.

Much of the interest in the Tied Cottage Novice Chase disappeared when Knife Edge was reported a non-runner on Saturday due to a lung infection. Glenelly Gale took advantage to win for Arthur Moore and Conor O'Dwyer. The bookies were in serious action after the bumper, with Paddy Power slashing the price of the Willie Mullins-trained winner, Summer In Siberia, for the Festival Bumper to 10 to 1.