'It was a great performance' - Irish Point makes light work of step up in trip to enter Stayers' Hurdle calculations

Irish Point coped with a significant step up in trip in marvellous fashion to dash 11 lengths clear of his pursuers and give Gordon Elliott a fifth success in the 2m7½f Grade 1 Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle and another major Stayers' Hurdle contender.

The five-year-old's novice campaign last season culminated in Grade 1 victory at Aintree before winning on his seasonal at Down Royal last month. However, he was venturing into the unknown over Thursday's longer trip and he was facing last season's winner, the Joseph O'Brien-trained Home By The Lee.

JJ Slevin was hard at work on Home By The Lee after four out while Jack Kennedy was sitting motionless on even-money favourite Irish Point in mid-division. He began to make his move approaching the penultimate flight, where his mount put in a particularly agile leap that allowed him to track new leader Asterion Forlonge.

Kennedy had barely twitched on Irish Point as he took up the lead approaching the final obstacle and the winner responded immediately when asked to put the race to bed, banishing any pre-race stamina-related concerns. Asterion Forlonge stuck to his task in second, with Ballyadam in third.

Elliott said: "He was very professional, settled and did everything great. It's a nice race to win and we have a couple for that division now so we'll see. It's a good problem to have."

Elliott and owner Robcour also have a Stayers' Hurdle candidate in Hatton's Grace winner Teahupoo, who is set to be kept under wraps until Cheltenham, and Irish Point has given connections an enviable dilemma as he is now disputing favouritism with Teahupoo for that race after being cut to a best-priced 6-1 (from 14) with bet365.

Elliott floated the idea of swerving Cheltenham with Irish Point in favour of the Aintree Hurdle. He said: "Jack [Kennedy] said all I have to do now is to make sure to split them up! He could be a horse that we'd keep for Aintree but we'll enjoy today and see what happens.

"I thought it was a great performance. He was so relaxed and he ticked all the boxes to stay, but you are always nervous until he does it.

"He has a lovely attitude. Jack said he actually thought at halfway down the back that he was so relaxed, but he said when he gave him a squeeze, he leapt straight back on it."

Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 14)

Paddy Power: 4 Teahupoo, Theleme, 5 Irish Point, 8 Crambo, 12 Impaire Et Passe, 20 Paisley Park, Sire Du Berlais, 25 Blazing Khal, 33 bar

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