Grade One Lawlor Of Naas Novice Hurdle Guide

The son of Sholokov is held in very high regard off the back of his starts during his career to date and since stepping over hurdles he looks a natural.

Back in November 2019 the five year old won an Irish maiden at Turtulla by 15 lengths and was bought and given to De Bromhead off the back of it.

At Gowran Park in March he made his rules debut in a bumper and again showed clear talent to take the 2m2f event by 10 lengths, seeing off nice types for Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott.

He was sent back to Gowran Park for his hurdles debut when him and Champion Bumper winner Ferny Hollow breezed away from the rest of the pack and he narrowly finished runner up behind the Cheveley Park horse.

He was then stepped up in trip at Navan in a maiden hurdle over 2m4f and he was an emphatic winner of the race beating a minor field by 14 lengths.

This is a much tougher test but he looks to have all the ability in the world and should give another bold showing.

Willie Mullins only runner in the race is the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede owned Blue Lord who looks to be a superb recruit for the yard.

The six year old has old has ran three times on the flat in France and was then bought and given to Mullins in Ireland and he made a very impressive debut.

Blue Lord started his jumps career off at Punchestown in a two mile maiden hurdle and travelled lovely throughout the race to win more cosily than the distance explains.

From this Mullins has decided to step him up in trip and take him down the Ballymore route with Appreciate It for the yard looking the favourite for the Supreme.

He did his best work in the final stages and that suggests he will get the extra trip today.

Ashdale Bob for Jessica Harrington is unfortunate not to be the favourite in this event holding some of the best form on offer over this trip.

The son of Shantou has taken to hurdles really well this term placing in his first two maiden events and since then has really kicked on against better company.

Two starts ago the six year old got off the mark for the first time at Navan over 2m4f, seeing off Wide Receiver who he takes on in this event and that horse has since franked the form.

After getting off the mark Harrington put the youngster into a Grade Two full of talent and Ashdale Bob stayed on best of the field to prevail and land the black type spoils.

Although he will need to step up again, he is proven at handling soft conditions and being able to stay better than most horses and that gives him a huge chance in this.

Jessica Harrington is double handed in the event and Crosshill although a bigger price still carries a threat to the market leaders with some smart runs this term.

Having only been seen in on bumper back in 2019, he returned to the track in October at Punchestown on hurdles debut and he got off the mark instantly over 2m4f.

Since then he has been seen once more in a better event and he was a good second behind a nice type for Willie Mullins.

He will need to be much better than what he has shown to date up in class and might be vulnerable at this level.

The firs of the Gigginstown attack on he race is Wide Receiver for Gordon Elliott who has been very progressive so far this season and is one of the more likely outsiders to grab a place.

The six year old made his hurdles debut in October over 2m4f at Punchestown and finished a nice second behind Baptism Of Fire for the same owners.

Sent to Navan over two miles, he did not handle the drop in trip and had to settle for third behind the Willie Mullins trained N'golo.

Stepped back up he was much better finishing a very close second to Ashdale Bob who has since gone on to land a Grade Two event.

Wide Receiver also franked the form of that race last time out when getting off the mark for the season at Leopardstown over two miles and now going back up in trip he is worth watching at 16/1 for the places.

Gavin Cromwell fields Gabynako who is another runner at a double figure price that could outrun his odds and land a place if giving a career best.

The six year old was a fair bumper horse placing in most his races, but as a hurdler has stepped his game up, finishing second on debut behind the likeable Fakiera for Gordon Elliott.

He got off the mark next time out, coming on for his first run to land a 17 runner maiden at Naas over two miles with the third in that event since coming out and winning.

Like many in this race last time out the gelding was put into the Grade Two Novice Hurdle at Navan over 2m4f and although finishing third he did not stay as well as many hoped he would.

He needs to show that he can get this trip on Wednesday and if not in soft conditions could be easily outclassed.

The Penultimate runner of the Grade One is Gigginstown's second chance with Flanking Maneuver for Noel Meade and although being consistent over hurdles this term, he could be vulnerable upped in class.

After landing a bumper in October the six year old made his debut over the obstacles at Navan in December and finished a decent second of 20 runners.

He landed his first event at Fairyhouse just over a week ago and is already being stepped up for a Grade One which makes him very vulnerable.

Others preferred.

The final runner is the last of the three pronged attack by Gigginstown with Ragnar Lodbrok for Gordon Elliott being a smart horse, but not up to the calibre of some of these runners.

The son of Fame And Glory made a winning debut over hurdles at Galway in an 18 runner event and backed that up with a second over three miles at Cork.

He went back to Cork last time out in a Grade Three Novice Hurdle and finished second again over three miles and although the drop in trip should help, he does not look as good as some of these.

Opposed.