Colonel Yeager got his hurdling career off to a bright start at Cork on Saturday when landing prohibitive odds with some style in the O'Connell Transport Maiden Hurdle.
The Michael Lynch-trained gelding, a high class bumper performer last season, cruised to the front before the last under Ruby Walsh. The four-year-old was then given an easy time on the run-in to record a one length winning margin over Colonial Sunset.
"I may run him next in a winners' race rather than take on the big boys," said a delighted Lynch afterwards. He added: "The plan is to get him to Cheltenham in one piece for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle." Championship leader Walsh was recording his 50th winner of the season on Colonel Yeager, and he doubled up later on Glazeaway in the Pierse Group Cork Stayers' Novice Hurdle. The five-year-old mare struck the front between the final two flights to beat Kings Banquet easily. Andrew McNamara nominated the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting as the target for Glin Castle, who took the featured Pierse Group Handicap Chase. The six-year-old was well-handled by Kieran Kelly, partnering his sixth and most important win to date.
Michael Kinane kicked off his Hong Kong December stint in positive fashion by scoring aboard Jade Dynasty at Happy Valley on Saturday.
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