Paul Townend says the “dream is still alive” as big-talent Anzadam stayed firmly in the Champion Hurdle picture.
Twenty four hours after big-race favourite Constitution Hill cemented favouritism and hero status by surviving a last-fence scare to secure another win at Cheltenham, the young challenger put his own marker down as a pretender.
Anzadam strolled to a facile success in the Naas Racecourse Business Club Limestone Lad Hurdle.
Willie Mullins’ charge was chooped to 7/1 in a place for the big one in March after extending a 100 per cent record to four and jockey Townend said: “The dream is alive and we’ll go on again.
“He got a bit keen down the hurdle on the side, but once I got him away it worked out nicely. I thought if he’s going to be what we think he can be then he should be able to pick them up. He’s got plenty of pace.
“He’s got huge scope and as we saw on Saturday, they can live on the edge a little bit. He was lovely.
“I was surprised by the kind of ride I got off him at Fairyhouse compared to what he’s like at home. He’s better on the racecourse.”
Anzadam’s owners Joe and Marie Donnelly, who also own current Champion Hurdler State Man, were celebrating again in the next race with their Dancing City also enjoyed Grade 3 success.
The eight-year-old secured victory for Townend in the Finlay Ford At Naas Novice Chase and has been cut to as short as 4/1 for the Brown Advisory Novices Chase at the Festival in March.