Lady has the look of a Champion

FEATHARD LADY stormed to the forefront of the Smurfit Champion Hurdle picture as she extended her unbeaten run to seven under a peach of a ride from Ruby Walsh in the Stan James Christmas Hurdle at Sandown yesterday.

The blue riband has been dominated over the last two seasons by Irish raiders and following this 12-length triumph over Self Defense, there are now five horses from Ireland in the top seven in the betting for the big one in March.

Walsh never had an anxious moment on the 6-4 chance as he completed a double following the earlier success of Hoo La Baloo on his first day back from a shoulder injury sustained at the end of November.