The Yellow Clay proves much too strong for Monksfield rivals

The Yellow Clay bolstered his reputation with a smart success in the John Lynch Carpets & Flooring Monksfield Novice Hurdle at Navan.

Sixth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March, the five-year-old made a seamless transition to obstacles at Down Royal last month and was all the rage at odds of 8-11 to follow up in Grade Three company at trainer Gordon Elliott’s local track.

Where’s My Jet and Paul Townend led the field for a long way, tracked by The Yellow Clay and Fleur In The Park as they started to get towards the business end of the two-and-a-half-mile contest.

It looked like Fleur In The Park might just be going best two out, but Jack Kennedy clearly had plenty of horse underneath him as The Yellow Clay surged clear approaching the last and went right away to beat Where’s My Jet by 10 lengths.

Elliott said: “He’s a nice horse and has always done everything well at home.

“I loved the way when he made the mistake at the second-last, he (Kennedy) squeezed him and he let him back on to the bridle.

“I’d say he is a nice horse. I thought it was a good performance, he quickened off them. He has a great attitude and a great way of racing, he is so laid-back.”

On what would be next for the Noel and Valerie Moran-owned winner, Elliott pointed towards a Grade One target: “You’d imagine we would go to the Lawlor’s (of Naas).”