Zanahiyr (nearest) jumps the last alongside Run For Oscar© Photo Healy Racing
Zanahiyr recorded his first win in almost two years, as he claimed the three-runner feature at Punchestown this afternoon, the Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Hurdle.
Placed on a number of occasions at the highest level, the 157-rated six-year-old was completing a double on the card for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy, who earlier took the opener with Wodhooh
Sent off favourite at 10/11, the chestnut victor traded the lead with market rival Run For Oscar (1/1) early on.
Second approaching halfway, the market leader improved to dispute the lead three out and was ridden to the front after the last, keeping on best to score by two-and-a-half lengths in the colours of Bective Stud.
The aforementioned Run For Oscar had to settle for second, just holding off outsider Andy Dufresne by a neck.
"I thought we were very beatable first run back and to be honest I wasn't going to run him only there was a very small entry," Elliott revealed.
"Jack said he had a couple of blows and was delighted with him - he jumped well.
"He was entitled to do it on ratings but it's not always that easy.
"We thought we might get a soft lead but it was an honest gallop and Philip (Byrnes on Run For Oscar) put the gun to our head the whole way.
"I'll talk to Noel and Valerie to see what they think (about plans). There is a lot of prizemoney to be picked up in conditions hurdles and he has no Grade 1 penalty so he can step back into Grade 2s and 3s.
"I'd say you could see him in anything from 2m5f back to two miles. You know he's going to wear his heart on his sleeve and try his best for you.
"The way he jumps a hurdle you would say he would jump a fence so I wouldn't rule it out."
Paddy Power go 20/1 about the winner for both the Champion Hurdle and the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
