Racing:Kazal bounced back to form in imperious fashion to land the Ladbrokes.com Boyne Hurdle ahead of Aitmatov at Navan this afternoon.
Eoin Griffin's 4-1 charge was sent novice chasing earlier in the season but after a couple of mishaps he has returned to timber.
Given a positive ride from Barry Geraghty, he was soon hassling Earth Magic for the lead and stretched on a mile out.
Aitmatov loomed up under Paul Carberry, but the 3-1 joint-favourite could never quite get on terms and went down by three and a half lengths.
Kazal earned a quote of 25-1 from VC Bet for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, while Aitmatov remains a 40-1 chance for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle and 25s for the longer event.
Griffin said: "He jumped brilliantly and first-time cheekpieces really sharpened him up.
"We even knew from his home work that they'd had a really positive effect.
"He's in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham and, with ease in the ground, he'll go there. Barry said he was surprised how well he quickened today."