Koktail Brut sparkles in Royal Bond thriller

Hot favourite Koktail Brut got the better of a nip-and-tuck battle with Blake to win a thrilling renewal of the Bar 1 Betting Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.

Having kept good company in bumpers last season, Koktail Brut made a successful start to his career over hurdles at Punchestown two and a half weeks ago and he was an 8-13 favourite to follow up in a Grade Two that has been won by the likes of Istabraq (1996), Moscow Flyer (1999), Hurricane Fly (2008) and Envoi Allen (2019).

Sent straight to the lead by Jack Kennedy, Gordon Elliott’s Koktail Brut had most of his rival in trouble from the home turn, but the Noel Meade-trained Blake stuck with him and looked to be travelling the better of the pair between the final two flights.

The pair settled down to fight it out after the last and there was little to choose between them passing the post, but the judge confirmed Koktail Brut the winner by a head, with Gavin Cromwell’ The Passing Wife making late gains to finish third.

“That was great. He probably did everything wrong, Jack said he was keen enough in front,” said Elliott.

“We weren’t sure if there was going to be pace in the race so we said we’d just keep it simple and go on, but Jack said he was keen enough.

“He was very gutsy to come back. I’d say looking at that he probably wants a bit further.

“I’ll talk to Michael and Eddie (O’Leary) and see. We won’t say he definitely wants two-and-a-half but he could be one to maybe keep and go to Naas with.

“The only problem is that we have so many for it so we’ll have to see. The horses are running great so we can’t complain.”