Abacadabras faces Blue Sari in bid to give Elliott first Future Champions win

1.45 Leopardstown
Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) | 4yo+ | 2m | RTE2/RTV

With stablemate Envoi Allen being held in reserve for Naas in January, Abacadabras, runner-up to Gordon Elliott's exciting youngster in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse this month, gets the chance to make the Grade 1 breakthrough in this event.

Jack Kennedy’s mount was a length and a half behind Envoi Allen at Fairyhouse, having beaten subsequent Grade 2 winner Latest Exhibition in the Grade 3 For Auction Novice Hurdle at Navan last month.

Abacadabras will be attempting to weave his magic against old foe
Blue Sari, who finished two places ahead of him when runner-up in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March.

The Elliott-trained Easywork is declared but is unlikely to take part having won impressively at Limerick yesterday.

Elliott said: “Abacadabras ran very well in the Royal Bond. He has plenty of pace and the trip and ground should be fine. He’s in very good form.”

Blue Sari: chasing home Envoi Allen in the Grade 1 Champion BumperCredit: Mark Cranham

Blue Sari, successful on his hurdling debut at Punchestown last month, represents Willie Mullins and owner JP McManus, whose racing manager Frank Berry said of Mark Walsh's mount: "Blue Sari's bumper form was very good.

"He was workmanlike at Punchestown where he was a bit keen. Willie is very happy with him and we're looking forward to a good run."

Gigginstown House Stud, owners of Abacadabras, will also be represented by the Joseph O’Brien-trained Embittered, who won a maiden hurdle at Naas before finishing three places behind Abacadabras in the Royal Bond.

O’Brien said: “Our horse is in good shape and we’re just hoping he’ll acquit himself well.”

Completing the line-up is the mare Heaven Help Us, who gave her trainer Paul Hennessy, a legend of the greyhound racing game, a day to remember when scoring at Cheltenham in October.

She was beaten on her two subsequent starts, and Hennessy said: "She looks up against it but we're delighted to be taking part and we're just hoping she runs a good race."

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