Blue Lord out to extend Mullins’ record in Naas Grade One

PA Sport Reporters
January 8, 2021 11:15 am

Punchestown winner set to face eight rivals on Sunday – weather permitting.

Willie Mullins bids to add to his record tally of eight victories in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle when Blue Lord lines up, weather permitting, in Sunday’s Grade One.

Blue Lord is set to bid for top-level glory on the back of a debut success over hurdles at Punchestown in November.

The six-year-old had three runs in the French provinces in 2019 and was then bought by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede to join Ireland’s champion jumps trainer.

Gordon Elliott has lifted this weekend’s prize three times in the last four years and is two-handed with Wide Receiver and Ragnar Lodbrok as he tries to maintain his fine record.

Jessica Harrington is also doubly represented with Ashdale Bob, a Grade Two winner at Navan last month, and Crosshill.

Bob Olinger is an interesting contender from Henry de Bromhead’s stable, having hacked up at Navan when sent off the 1-8 favourite after going down by one length to last season’s Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner Ferny Hollow on his hurdles debut.

Completing the nine-strong field are Noel Meade’s Flanking Maneuver, Gavin Cromwell’s Gabynako and Great Bear, trained by Thomas Gibney.

However, the course is currently unfit for racing because of frost, and an inspection has been called for 1.30pm on Saturday.