Boodles the Cheltenham target for Eagle Fang

Eagle Fang booked his Cheltenham Festival ticket with victory in the A.M. Transport Supporting Kill GAA Rated Hurdle at Naas.

The four-year-old finished third in his only Flat start for Keith Dalgleish before being sold for 55,000 guineas last July and joining William Durkan’s team.

Placed on his first three starts, including at Grade Three level, Eagle Fang has cut little ice upped to Grade Two company at Christmas but dropped in calibre here, he posted a five-length success in the hands of Phillip Enright.

The 9-4 favourite stayed on well on heavy ground, with Paddy Power cutting him to 12-1 from 25s for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at next month’s Festival.

Assistant trainer Gary Bannon said: “We thought he would have won his maiden by now, but he’s bumped into a few smart horses. We freshened him up and came here.

“The Boodles has been the plan with him. He’s a lovely horse for the future and stepping up in trip he’ll be a nice horse next year.

“He’s tough and not your typical Flat horse. He doesn’t do a whole pile at home. We’d like to see a bit of rain for Cheltenham, and he should get in now.”