Istabraq looked fit and well when completing the main part of his Cheltenham preparation at Leopardstown racecourse this afternoon.
Brought to the Dublin track for "a day away" by champion trainer Aidan O’Brien, the 10-year-old jumped two hurdles and ran on the flat from the mile-and-a-quarter start to the finishing post. Jockey Charlie Swan eased Istabraq down one furlong out due to the heavy ground.
Almost two inches of rain has fallen on the racecourse over the last five days.
"We went as fast as you could work in that ground. The head wind was very bad towards the end of the gallop and that steadied us as well," said Swan.
"He feels unbelievable and jumped great and quick - he gave them plenty of height," Swan said.
O’Brien remarked: "Charlie seemed very happy and that makes me happy."
Istabraq worked with his regular galloping companion Darapour and the latter led his stablemate over the two hurdles and for most of the exercise.
"About three furlongs out I asked Istabraq to quicken upsides Darapour and then let him stride on for a furlong or so before we began to ease up into the wind and with the ground pretty wet," Swan pointed out.
Bookmakers Cashmans of Cork cut Istabraq to 7-4 favourite from 9-4 to land an unprecedented fourth Champion Hurdle triumph.
PA