Quilixios and Kidder clash in Naas feature

Molly Hunter
November 5, 2021 1:00 pm

Festival victors tackle Fishery Lane Hurdle.

Cheltenham Festival winners Quilixios and Jeff Kidder will lock horns for the second time on a quality card at Naas on Saturday.

Unbeaten in his first three starts for Gordon Elliott, Quilixios was switched to Henry de Bromhead’s yard prior to winning the Triumph Hurdle in March under Rachael Blackmore.

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding subsequently disappointed at Punchestown behind the Noel Meade-trained Jeff Kidder, who had previously won the Fred Winter at Cheltenham and a Fairyhouse Grade Two.

The pair will renew rivalry in the Grade Three BetVictor Fishery Lane Hurdle, with Quilixios making his first appearance since his Punchestown defeat in May.

De Bromhead said: “It is always hard for the juvenile hurdlers when they step up with the big guns, but this is the perfect opportunity to get his season started as it is for four-year-olds only and we’ll see how we get on before planning from there.

“He’s done really well in the summer. He looks great and we’re really happy with him.

“It’s all systems go now to start off in a lovely race for him at Naas.”

While Quilixios has been off the track for six months, Jeff Kidder is race-fit after three spins on the Flat between July and October.

The four-year-old has been a beaten favourite on each occasion, but Meade is hoping a return to the jumping game will see him in a better light.

He said: “Henry’s horse didn’t run his race in Punchestown and I think he’s going to be very hard to beat if he has him right.

“My horse has been very disappointing on the Flat, but he’s in good form and we’ll do our best.”

Teahupoo (Gordon Elliott), An Epic Song (Martin Brassil), Autumn Evening (Jessica Harrington) and Vultan (Joseph O’Brien) are the other hopefuls.

Grade Three honours are also up for grabs in the following Poplar Square Chase, in which De Bromhead and Blackmore team up with Captain Guinness.

The six-year-old won on his debut over fences at Punchestown last season before going on the chase home the top-class Energumene at Naas before finishing third in the Arkle.

He failed to complete on his other two starts at Leopardstown in Punchestown, but De Bromhead is looking forward to his return.

He added: “Captain Guinness wears his heart on his sleeve, but is exciting when he puts it all together.

“He’s in really good form, he’s summered really well and he seems ready to go.

“We always thought he was a brilliant jumper so touch wood, I think he has just been unfortunate. It’s just one of those things, but he’s usually very good.”

Elliott has a pair of runners in Felix Desjy and Andy Dufresne, while Gavin Cromwell saddles Darver Star, who never quite got his act together over fences last term after being placed in both the Irish Champion Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle previous season.

Big outsiders Choungaya (Andrew McNamara) and Serpolette (Eamon Delaney) complete the field.