Meade thrilled with Iktitaf
Noel Meade has moved to silence the doubters after Iktitaf's victory in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday.
Despite beating Asian Maze, the champion hurdler Brave Inca and current two-mile champion chaser Newmill, the winners of 14 Grade One races between them, some critics suggested Iktitaf found little when let down off the bridle.
"He's beaten the champion hurdler by eight lengths and he's beaten Asian Maze well enough as well. I don't know what some people want," said Meade.
"I know everything seems to revolve around the Champion Hurdle in March as far as some people are concerned but the Morgiana was worth €100,000 and was a Grade One race, it's a huge race to win.
"People are inclined to forget how big some of these other races are because there is so much publicity around Cheltenham. They are not to be sniffed at.
"We were absolutely delighted with him. It was as much as we could have hoped for. The ground was very soft and I'm sure it wasn't a help to the champion (Brave Inca) but it wasn't much of a help to us either.
"It probably suited the mare (Asian Maze) a bit, she isn't that happy on it but it brought her stamina in to play."
Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle:
totesport bet: 10-3 Detroit City, 5-1 Brave Inca, 6-1 Iktitaf, 9-1 Asian Maze, Macs Joy, 12-1 Desert Quest, Feathard Lady, Harchibald, 14-1 Hardy Eustace, Straw Bear, 16-1 Noble Request.
