13:25 Naas

Sunday 4 January 2026

All12:2512:5513:2513:5514:2514:5515:30

Ballymore Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

5YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 4f | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| D

Readily landed the odds in 22-runner maiden at Navan (20.2f, heavy) on hurdles bow 19 days ago. Smart prospect for a top stable which continues in tremendous form.

Form: 113-1

Fruit De Mer⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| C

12/1

Point winner who was first past the post (subsequently demoted0 in bumper last March. Again looked a good prospect when making a successful start to his hurdle career at Naas in November.

Form: 1/2-1

I'll Sort That⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr D L Queally| T: D Queally| C

15/2

Dual bumper winner who made it 3-3 over hurdles when rallying to led again close home and beat Theflyingking by ¾ length in Navan Grade 3 in November. Back up in trip. Likely capable of even better.

Form: 112-111

Kovanis²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| D

40/1

Lightly-raced winner under NH rules. 7/2, 9 lengths third of 4 to Doctor Steinberg in Navan Novices' Hurdle at Navan (20f, heavy) 29 days ago. Yard has stronger contenders elsewhere.

Form: 116-313

Letos²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: A Mullins| OR: 131| CD

22/1

Useful C&D winner. 11/4, improved again when second of 6 in handicap hurdle at Carlisle (25f, soft) 21 days ago, travelling strongly. More on his plate now stepping up in class.

Form: 242-212

Lord Rouge²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott

12/1

10/3, created a good impression when making a successful start to his Rules career in 19-runner maiden hurdle at Cork (17f, soft) 28 days ago, staying on well. Will improve.

Form: 2-1

Saint Baco²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

13/8

Half-brother to yard's high-class jumper Saint Roi and this French recruit struck at the first time of asking for Willie Mullins in Navan maiden hurdle 29 days ago. Up in trip. Definitely more to come.

Form: 3-1

Sortudo^h⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins

7/2

Smart dual bumper winner who made a smooth winning start to his hurdle career at Cork (2m, soft) in November. Can take the step up in class in his stride.

Form: 12271-1

Switch From Diesel²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Daniel King| T: R O'Sullivan| BF| C

16/1

Useful bumper/Flat winner. Fairly useful form over hurdles. 7/4, very good 2¾ lengths second of 6 to Echoing Silence in listed hurdle at Punchestown (19f, heavy) 24 days ago. Looks capable of even better.

Form: 211-222

Forecasts

Saint Baco (7/4), Sortudo (3/1), Classical Creek (9/2), I'll Sort That (8/1), Lord Rouge (8/1), Fruit De Mer (16/1), Switch From Diesel (20/1), Letos (33/1), Kovanis (33/1)

Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott tend to dominate this Grade 1 novice, with the former's SORTUDO getting the nod on the back of his impressive hurdle debut success at Cork 6 weeks ago. Classical Creek is another who looked the part when winning his sole hurdle and is second choice ahead of I'll Sort That.