Death Duty is the star name amongst six horses declared for the Lawlor’s Hotel Novice Hurdle at Naas on Sunday.
Gordon Elliott’s dual bumper winner made an impressive start to his career over jumps at Roscommon in October, and has since completed a hat-trick with successive wins at Navan.
The six-year-old steps up to the highest level for the first time, with Jack Kennedy taking over in the saddle from the sidelined Bryan Cooper.
Death Duty is one of three runners for leading owners Gigginstown House Stud. Stable companion Blood Crazed Tiger bids for a fifth successive win under David Mullins, while Bel Ami Sivola chases a four-timer for trainer Noel Meade and jockey Sean Flanagan.
Willie Mullins has saddled six previous winners of this Grade One contest, including the last three.
This year Mullins fires a twin assault with impressive Punchestown scorer Turcagua joined by talented mare Augusta Kate. The Enda Bolger-trained Stand Up And Fight completes the select field.
Last chance
Willie Mullins accepts the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle represents the “last chance” for Faugheen to get a run before the Cheltenham Festival.
The brilliant nine-year-old won the race 12 months ago, but he has since been sidelined with a suspensory problem that ruled him out of his defence of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last season.
Reigning Champion Hurdle heroine Annie Power is also amongst seven Mullins entries for the Grade One at Leopardstown on January 29th, but she has not yet been sighted this season.
"I want to get them out as soon as I can," Mullins told the Daily Mirror. "Annie Power has two options – she also has the race at Punchestown [a 2½-mile mares' hurdle] that she won last year – before going to Cheltenham. But it would be Faugheen's last chance before Cheltenham. They are both well – both are riding out and doing plenty."
Two races
Kylemore Lough could have his next outing in the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles on January 19th. A Grade One winner in Ireland last season, the Kerry Lee-trained eight-year-old has run two solid races in defeat this season.
He was a close second to Royal Regatta at Ascot in a Grade Two before looking sure to collect in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup only to fade up the hill.
“Kylemore Lough will either go to Thurles on the 19th for the graded chase or to Ascot for a handicap,” said Lee.“It was galling at Cheltenham last time out; he had the wind taken out of his sails at the third last. ”
