One more run for Trafford Lad before Cheltenham

TRAFFORD Lad is likely to have only one more run before bidding for Cheltenham Festival glory.

Dusty Sheehy’s five-year-old maintained his unbeaten record over hurdles when beating the well-regarded Gem Daly in the Grade One Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle at Navan on Sunday.

Trafford Lad was introduced in the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle betting at 16-1 by Blue Square and Sheehy is set to give him just one more run before his major target.

“He’s perfect after the race, 100%,” said Sheehy.

“We always said he was a good horse and capable of doing it but they have to go and prove it.

“It was good, good to yielding ground on Sunday – perfect ground – which will be similar to what we’ll get at Cheltenham.

“It’s a bonus that we know he can handle it now and hopefully come March he will be there.

“He’ll run at Naas on January 6 (Slaney Hurdle) and that might be it before Cheltenham, we’ll see how that goes and take it from there.”

The win came as a welcome boost for the stable as they lost one of their stars, Rindoon, just weeks ago.

“To lose Rindoon is a massive blow for a yard like ours but hopefully this lad can pick up the flag and carry it for a few years,” added Sheehy.