Racing:Noel Meade has credited Niall 'Slippers' Madden for transforming Christmas Hurdle winner Jazz Messenger in to a genuine Champion Hurdle contender.Noel Meade has credited Niall 'Slippers' Madden for transforming Christmas Hurdle winner Jazz Messenger in to a genuine Champion Hurdle contender.
The Grand National-winning jockey has partnered the former Gerard Butler inmate to his last two victories and seems to have found the key to his troublesome jumping.
Meade had the choice of sending either Iktitaf or Jazz Messenger over for the Kempton contest and with Harchibald also in the Champion Hurdle mix, the Irish trainer holds a strong hand for the big race in March.
"We didn't need to send Iktitaf over in the end. Jazz would have been hard to beat anyway, he was very good," said Meade. "Slippers rode him the last day in Thurles and he won very easily even though he didn't have much to beat.
"But riding him the way he did that day, up with the pace and on the outside, seems to make a big difference to him.
"The problem all along with him has been his jumping. When he ran in the Supreme last year he was only beaten about five lengths and he hit every hurdle and was nearly brought down in the back straight.
"He then went to Fairyhouse and was disappointing before he was third to Iktitaf at Punchestown — I think he was over the top then though.
"He had a summer break and improved immensely on the Flat, he's rated 109, and since Slippers has got his jumping sorted I would say they are married for life now.
"He'll be aimed at the Champion, I can't see any other race he can go for really. He may go for the Irish Champion between now and then.
"Goodish ground would help him but I'm sure that he has to be considered as a Champion Hurdle contender."
Madden was also thrilled with his performance and he is hoping to keep the ride in the future.
"He was great. I've always had faith in him but he never really got his jumping together until last time at Thurles," Madden told At The Races.
"I know he didn't beat much but he jumped better than ever which was a bonus so Noel thought he may as well take his chance at Kempton and thank god it paid off.
"With Noel having a couple of others for the Champion, I hope I'll get to keep the ride on him."