Andy Dufresne conqueror Latest Exhibition on target for Dublin Racing Festival

Latest Exhibition, one of Ireland's most exciting novices, will step up to Grade 1 level for the first time at Leopardstown's Dublin Racing Festival on February 1, after trainer Paul Nolan confirmed the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle as his next target.

Owned by Jim Mernagh, who also bred the seven-year-old, Latest Exhibition is two from three over hurdles and established himself as a leading novice when upsetting the highly regarded Andy Dufresne in the 2m4f Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle last month.

Nolan said: "Latest Exhibition’s form is working out well with Andy Dufresne coming out and winning the Moscow Flyer at Punchestown on Sunday and Conflated, who was third in the Navan race, running well in a Grade 1 at Naas.

"Before his Navan win our horse ran second to Abacadabras in the For Auction Hurdle and that form has also been boosted since with the winner landing a Grade 1 at Christmas."

Paul Nolan: is excited to see how far Latest Exhibition can goCredit: Patrick McCann

Nolan believes that tackling two miles and six furlongs for the first time at Leopardstown will suit Latest Exhibition. He said: "There’s plenty of stamina in his pedigree, so you’d imagine the longer trip won’t be a problem.

"He doesn’t have to have heavy ground, but we don’t want to see the word 'good' in the ground description on the day. Easy, safe jumping ground will be fine.

"There’s a very strong look to the race with a lot of good horses entered and it’s going to be very competitive whoever turns up, but our horse is certainly entitled to take his chance. He's in very good form."

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