Horse Racing: Ned Kelly can challenge Istabraq, say bookies

Ned Kelly's runaway AIG Europe Champion Hurdle victory at Leopardstown has seen him emerge as a true rival for Istabraq in this year's Smurfit Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

With Istabraq, the winner of the past four renewals of the race, being kept for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle Cheltenham in March, the Irish contest had a more open look to it than usual.