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Galway Hurdle hero Zarak The Brave returned to winning ways with a success in the Grade 3 Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas on Sunday.
Originally trained in France, the five-year-old took the Grade 3 Galway Hurdle over the summer before being pulled up in the Grade 3 Horse & Jockey Hotel Hurdle at Tipperary in October, when he was declared clinically abnormal post race by the on course vet.
The Willie Mullins-trained gelding put that performance firmly behind him with a comfortable victory in the four runner Grade 3 at Naas, taking control from two flights out.
"It's nice to put that bad run in Tipperary behind him and we felt he'd been doing things nice at home," said Mullins.
"He might need a longer trip, as he's getting settled now compared to what he used to be like. I'm very pleased to get him back on track.
"He's only in the Champion Hurdle (at Cheltenham) and I'm not sure if he'll go there. We might look at a few of the Graded races at Fairyhouse over Easter.
"We'll work the horses during the week and decide then what we will do next weekend.
"Impaire Et Passe will run in the Irish Champion Hurdle along with State Man and probably Echoes In Rain."
Paddy Power responded by shortening Zarak The Brave from 33/1 to 25/1 for the Champion Hurdle in March.