Moment underlines Cheltenham claims

Emotional Moment emerged as a serious Ladbrokes World Hurdle contender as he landed back-to-back successes in the Alo Duffin Memorial Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran.

Tom Taaffe’s nine-year-old was sent off the 4-5 favourite and put in a crisp round of jumping to lift the Grade Three event with quite a bit in hand.

The gelding led from the off in the three-mile contest and bounded clear of his rivals to score by eight lengths under Barry Geraghty.

“He’s just short of being a Grade One horse but if he looks like he’s got a sporting chance, he’ll go for the World Hurdle,” confirmed Taaffe.

“And if that’s the case, he won’t have a run beforehand.”

Emotional Moment has been cut from 33-1 to 25-1 by totesport for the Cheltenham Festival event, while Cashmans make him a 20-1 chance.