Gordon Elliott prepares to roll the big dice with Hollow Games in Naas Grade 1

Exciting novice hurdler Hollow Games could chart the Cheltenham path trodden by Envoi Allen and Bob Olinger by taking in the Grade 1 Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle on January 2.

Gordon Elliott has won the race three times since it was upgraded to a Grade 1 in 2015 and has entered Ginto, Gringo D'Aubrelle, Mighty Potter and Three Stripe Life along with Hollow Games.

Henry de Bromhead won last year's edition with the Robcour-owned Bob Olinger and has handed an entry to the highly regarded Journey With Me, representing the same connections of last year's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle hero.

Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle entries

Ginto, Hollow Games and Gringo D'Aubrelle are owned by one of Elliott's main supporters in Noel and Valerie Moran, with the trainer revealing a decision will be made closer to the time as to which horses run at Naas.

Elliott said: "We have always supported this race at Naas and been lucky enough to win it a few times. It's a two-and-a-half mile Grade 1 on a Grade 1 track and they are the sort of races we want to target. I would imagine that either Ginto or Hollow Games will run there.

"I will speak to Noel and Valerie closer to the time and we'll see how the horses are, but both have come out of their respective wins at Navan in good form and I couldn't be happier with them."

He added: "We've always liked Ginto and I was delighted with what he did at Navan last weekend. He's progressing with every run, while Hollow Games has answered every question we've asked of him and is in good order since he won last month. They are both thriving on their racing.

"There is a lot of good racing over the next month and we have Gringo D'Aubrelle. Mighty Potter and Three Stripe Life in there at Naas as well so we'll have runners and it would be a nice way to start 2022."

Willie Mullins has real strength in depth to his entries for the race, with Royal Bond winner Statuaire featuring among the champion trainer's eight-strong hand. Mullins has also handed entries to Dysart Dynamo, Kilcruit and Sir Gerhard.

Naas manager Eamonn McEvoy said: "We are delighted to have such a high-class list of entries for our marquee race. The race has served as the best prep race for the Ballymore at Cheltenham with Envoi Allen and Bob Olinger winning the most recent runnings, and this calibre of entry fills us all with excitement."

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