All that Jazz for Champion

JAZZ Messenger will head straight to Cheltenham for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle after pleasing Noel Meade when second at Gowran on Saturday.

The eight-year-old finished four and a half lengths behind Catch Me in the Red Mills Centenary Trial Hurdle, having previously taken third behind Al Eile in the December Festival Hurdle.

Meade also saddled Aitmatov to take second behind Kazal in Sunday’s Boyne Hurdle but has yet to firm up plans for that one, who also has the Ladbrokes World Hurdle as an alternative option to the Champion.