This is a subscriber-only article
It looks like you're browsing in private mode
Racegoers will be able to enjoy the race which Ireland’s champion trainer Willie Mullins said will be “one of the best graded novice races run over the Christmas period in Ireland or England” with free entry to Naas Racecourse this Friday for the rescheduled Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle fixture.
A highly-touted field of eight novices were due to go to post for the Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle yesterday until the meeting had to be cancelled due to fog and the €100,000 will now feature on a seven-race card this Friday.
Willie Mullins was due to run five of his leading novice hurdlers in the opening Grade 1 of the year with Ile Atlantique, Chapeau De Soleil, Lecky Watson, Mystical Power and Readin Tommy Wrong, while Elliott had been due to be represented by Firefox and Croke Park.
Henry de Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore and owners Robcour will be hoping to repeat the feat of 2021 when they won the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle with Bob Olinger. Connections may be sensing a good omen following yesterday’s abandonment as Bob Olinger’s success came when the 2021 race had to be rescheduled due to the weather conditions.
Entries for the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle reverted back to 10 possible contenders with all eight of Sunday’s intended runners remaining on course to take part in Friday’s rescheduled race. The Tom Mullins-trained Fascile Mode and Gordon Elliott’s Jigoro are the other two possible runners who are back among the entries. Final declarations for Friday’s card will take place on Wednesday morning.
Naas Racecourse will be opening the gates free of charge for what still promises to be a cracking renewal of the feature race and an extra race has been added to the programme to provide a seven race card on Friday.
Eamonn McEvoy, Manager of Naas Racecourse said: “It was hugely disappointing for everyone yesterday but fog is so unpredictable. It initially lifted enough to allow us to race it just came down again at the wrong time and the safety of the jockeys and horses is the most important thing so we couldn’t take any chances.”
“That said, we are delighted to be able to reschedule the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle and the remainder of the card for this Friday. This is our centenary year here at Naas Racecourse and this Grade 1 looks to be a novice race for the ages. We are hoping people will be able to avail of the free admission and get here on Friday to witness some of Ireland’s leading novice hurdlers. It would be no surprise if this race provided us with multiple Grade 1 winners for the future.”
SHARING OPTIONS: