Good Land chasing Grade One glory at Leopardstown

Barry Connell's Good Land is set for a Grade One return to Leopardstown following his taking maiden victory at the track last month.

The seven-year-old open his account over obstacles by an easy eight lengths in late December, after unseating his rider at the first flight on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse.

Good Land holds an entry for the Grade One Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle on 4 February, where a good performance could see him go on to tackle the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Connell said: "He's entered in the Nathaniel Lacey, the two-mile-six (furlong) Grade One in Leopardstown. That's where he goes, he's come out of his race very well at Leopardstown at Christmas.

"That was his first real run over hurdles so we're anticipating something from him. He's a course winner so we're hoping he can run a massive race.

"If he does that then he'll go to Cheltenham, where he has an entry in the Ballymore."

Good Land's Leopardstown win saw him defeat Willie Mullins' Embassy Gardens, form that was reinforced when the latter horse streaked home to take a Thurles novice hurdle by 35 lengths last weekend.

"Embassy Gardens won very well at Thurles. He made a mistake at Leopardstown and that probably cost him second - instead of finishing fourth he might have been second," Connell said.

"It is nice to see a boost to the form, we're happy with our horse and he goes back there having won recently over the course. He's training well and we're expecting a good run."

Connell also has Cheltenham in mind for Royal Bond winner Marine Nationale, who was last seen landing the Grade One novice hurdle by a head from Irish Point.

He too has seen his stock rise thanks to the performances of former rivals, with Irish