Tuesday 18 February · Punchestown, Eire

15:20 Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle (Grade 3)

Distance: 3m 0f 0y
Going: Heavy
Class: 1
Prize: EUR 35000
Runners: 9

Race preview

LORD ROYAL made a very pleasing start to his hurdling career at Clonmel when powering clear of the opposition to win by 33 lengths. That performance suggested he has the credentials to step up into graded company and the extra half mile is unlikely to prove much of an issue. Floueur won in good style on his first outing for Gordon Elliott at Navan and he can enter the reckoning along with stable companion Run Wild Fred, who was giving leading Albert Bartlett contender Monkfish a race when falling at the second last at Thurles.

Pos	Horse	Form	Jockey	Trainer	Wgt	SP
1	Run Wild Fred	161-31F	Mark Walsh	G Elliott	11 2	14-1
2	Lord Royal	2-1	Paul Townend	W P Mullins	10 13	8-11
3	Floueur	3111	D N Russell	G Elliott	11 5	9-2
4	Fully Charged	R/521-21	Rachael Blackmore	H De Bromhead	11 2	10-1
5	Well Set Up	2-12112	Ricky Doyle	M Fahey	11 1	11-2
6	Vis Ta Loi	3/1333	Danny Mullins	W P Mullins	11 2	10-1
7	Battle Of Midway	15-1215	Donagh Meyler	N Meade	11 5	33-1
8	Sailingtobyzantium	P-32F18	Mr T Hamilton	H De Bromhead	10 9	66-1
-	Mr Hendricks	P41-061	R M Power	Mrs J Harrington	11 2	25-1