TATTERSALLS Ireland will sponsor the two-mile Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival in Leopardstown next month.

The sales company is switching its support to this race from the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at the same two-day meeting.

The novice hurdle is a good fit for the sales company as previous winners include Tattersalls Ireland graduates Asterion Forlonge (2020) and Appreciate It (2021). Likely favourite for this year’s running is Sir Gerhard, a £400,000 Tattersalls Cheltenham graduate.

The Leopardstown race, registered as the Brave Inca, will be worth €150,000.

Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said: “The Dublin Racing Festival is the most competitive weekend of the season in Ireland and is an event that are we extremely proud to be associated with.

“The timing of the sponsorship of the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle is a great fit for us as it coincides with the launch of our Derby Sale inspections, where we continue to secure the very best store horses for our flagship sale in June.”

Tim Husbands, Leopardstown chief executive, said: “Tattersalls Ireland are an established partner of Dublin Racing Festival and championed the event from its inception for which we are very grateful.”