Naas Racecourse in County Kildare, Ireland hosts its sole Group 1 of the year today, the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle (15h55).
The Dublin track’s showpiece has attracted twelve entries with Willie Mullins responsible for eight of them, including last season’s Gr1 Champion Bumper hero Jasmin De Vaux. He looks the ace from the Closutton yard.
Flashback – Champ Kiely and Danny Mullins won the Gr1 Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle in 2023(Pic – Patrick McCann/Racing Post supplied by Naas Racecourse on FB)
A facile winner by over four-lengths from a subsequent easy winner, The Enabler at Navan four weeks ago, he must be respected. The six-year-old has always been well regarded by his connections and forms a strong coupling with Ballygunner Castle and Kel Histoire.
Butch Cassidy from the Henry de Bromhead stable is unbeaten in two starts and could be anything. Owned by Coolmore supremo John Magnier, the Walk in The Park five-year-old must be considered.
However, the one to beat is The Yellow Clay from the in-form Gordon Elliott yard. Unbeaten in three starts over hurdles including a Group 2 at Navan last month. He finished 6-lengths behind Jasmin De Vaux at Cheltenham in the ‘Bumper’ but has shown hurdling is his forte and is the one they all have to beat.
Earlier on the card, leading owner JP McManus hold the key in the Gr2 racing Post Novice Chase (15h25). Both the favourite and second favourite run in his distinctive gold and green striped silks. The progressive and highly exciting Majborough (Mullins) edges Inthepocket (de Bromhead) at the top of the boards.
The lightly raced eight-year-old Inthepocket got off the mark on his chasing debut at Wexford in October coming home an easy winner by 15-lengths.
Majborough was no less impressive when scoring by six and a half lengths considering the runner-up, Tullyhill, was rated 147 when hurdling last season.
Firefox from the Elliott yard is no back number having won his beginners chase and then finishing a half a length back in third behind Croke Park in the Gr1 Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in early December. He looks the ‘value’ at around 9/2 considering the proven form he brings to the contest.
