'He's in top form' - Padraig Roche ready to go with Cheltenham Festival winner

Padraig Roche has said his Cheltenham Festival winner Brazil is as good as ever at home as he prepares the son of Galileo for a seasonal reappearance in the Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Hurdle (3.35) at Listowel on Monday.

The JP McManus-owned four-year-old took Roche's career to new heights in March when he provided the trainer with his first winner at Prestbury Park in a dramatic Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, running down the well-fancied Gaelic Warrior to snatch victory by a short head under Mark Walsh.

He then ran third in Grade 1 company at Aintree, 12 lengths adrift of the dead-heating Knight Salute and Pied Piper.

"This has been the plan," said Roche, "and it's all systems go.

"He came through the summer well. He got a little break but is back in work. He's in top form.

"We don't know what the plan is yet afterwards but we'll see how he gets on on Monday and take it from there."

Brazil has won two of his six starts since joining Roche from Aidan O’Brien. He entered the Cheltenham Festival picture after running away with a rated novice hurdle at Naas in February, a stepping stone used by previous festival winners Aramax and Band Of Outlaws, before winning on the biggest stage of all.

Padraig Roche: 'His form stands up'Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

He heads the weights for Monday's €60,000 event with a rating of 142, but his trainer is unconcerned about the burden.

Roche added: "Hopefully the weight won't cause him any problems but he carried plenty at Cheltenham so he should be fine.

"His form stands up so hopefully he can apply himself accordingly. We're looking forward to running him and can't wait to get him back."

Galway Hurdle third Prairie Dancer is among the possible opposition for Joseph O'Brien, while Grade 2 winner Iberique Du Seuil is among five possible runners for Gordon Elliott.

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