Highland Crystal remains unbeaten at Naas

Highland Crystal retained her unbeaten record with a neat victory in the SR Ventilation Supporting Kill GAA Rated Hurdle at Naas.

Gordon Elliott’s four-year-old came into the race an 11-8 chance having won both of her starts this season, most recently taking a Listed contest at Newbury by over six lengths.

She had travelled to Doncaster last month for an outing but got loose on the way to post and had to be withdrawn.

Better behaved on this occasion for Jack Kennedy, she was made to work hard for success as Saratoga loomed large on the run in, but the chestnut was tough to rally and prevail by three-quarters of a length.

“She’s tough. She gave herself a little nick and Jack said she was leaning a little bit right the whole way up the straight,” said Elliott.

“She’s gutsy, he said it wasn’t really ideal being in front either as she was looking around the whole way. She picked up and galloped.

“The (race) conditions weren’t really right for her here.”

This event has an established history of producing the Fred Winter winner, with the victor of the 2019, 2020 and 2022 renewals going on to win at Cheltenham – a path that could await Highland Crystal.

“She’s probably more of a Fred Winter filly really but we’ll see what mark she gets,” said Elliott.

“She could maybe be a filly that we keep for Fairyhouse over two-and-a-half miles, it might suit her better.

“She’s black-type now and she’s won three races so she’s very gutsy.”