Kazal after more glory

TEAK tough six-year-old Kazal is likely to run again this season – as long as the ground is not too fast.

The Eoin Griffin trained gelding has won six of his seven starts this term and completed a Graded race five-timer when battling away in characteristic fashion at Thurles earlier this month.

Griffin has been pleased with the way his charge has stood up to a demanding schedule and is keen to keep his options open as the National Hunt season begins to wind down.

“Kazal is fine and he’s been kept on the go with the intention of running again if the ground is soft enough,” he said.

“There’s probably three races open for him. There’s one at Fairyhouse, which is a Grade Two over two and a half miles and then there’s the three-mile-one-furlong race at Liverpool on the Friday (Citroen C6 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle).

“There’s also a two-and-a-half-mile race at Punchestown, although it’s highly unlikely that would be an option as the ground would probably be too quick at that stage.”

Looking ahead to next term, Griffin says Kazal is likely to embark upon a novice chasing career, but admits nothing has been set in stone just yet.

“It (chasing) more than likely is the plan,” he added.

“I’ve been saying it all year and it’s more than likely that I will stick to it. Three-mile hurdle races are the other attractive options as a lot of them seem open enough.”