'He'll be trained as a Champion Hurdle horse'

Pied Piper and Jack Kennedy lead the field over the last before landing the Masterson Holdings Hurdle

It was billed as the first Anglo-Irish clash of the season at Cheltenham and it once again went to the visitors, yet it was the joy of redemption rather than national pride which had connections of Pied Piper humming with delight.

Only in April, Pied Piper had dead-heated with Knight Salute in the Grade 1 four-year-old hurdle at Aintree, but a stewards' intervention and a demotion to second for interference followed. An appeal the next month also failed meaning the only way to exact revenge was back on the racecourse.

He was fancied to do just that when sent off at odds of 5-6, and the Gordon Elliott-trained four-year-old quickly got into his same strong-travelling running style, all the time watched by the number-one home representative trained by Milton Harris.

As they turned for home the two rivals moved up. Their other challengers appeared to fade, just as they did at Aintree, but this time Pied Piper unleashed another gear and, under Jack Kennedy, sprinted up the hill as Knight Salute toiled.

A two-and-three-quarter-length advantage was redemption and more, and now connections dare to consider him a Champion Hurdle hope.

Elliott said: "That was a nice way to start him off and it was great. He's got a lot stronger since last season and I loved the way he put his head down and galloped to the line.

"He'll be trained as a Champion Hurdle horse, but it's a very hot division and he's going to have to improve. We can go to bed dreaming tonight anyway."

His possible route back here in March is to include the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal on November 4 when he will attempt to further shorten his Champion Hurdle odds which were cut to 12-1 (from 16) with William Hill.

Pied Piper and Jack Kennedy with the winning connections

John Grossick

Joey Logan, racing manager to owners Andrew and Gemma Brown who race under Caldwell Construction, added: "Gordon doesn't get excited too easily so that must've been good. We're very happy, Jack [Kennedy] gave him some ride. We're delighted to be here and see where we go."

Meanwhile, runner-up Knight Salute has the options of going to France or Wincanton's Elite Hurdle on November 5. His trainer feels the race went against him.

Harris explained: "Paddy [Brennan] said they didn't go any pace and as a result he didn't settle as well as he normally does. Don't get me wrong, we were beaten by a better horse on the day, but I'm not disheartened as I know he's better than that."

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