Albert Bartlett hopefuls face off in Grade 3 with rich history

Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) | 3m | 4yo+ | RTV

Clonmel’s loss is Punchestown’s gain, as this Grade 3, which has a habit of producing top-notch stayers, switches venues for one year only due to last Thursday’s card at the County Tipperary venue being lost to the weather.

Willie Mullins could have done without Gordon Elliott declaring Floueur, who looked a potential star on his first start for the trainer at Navan last month. The five-year-old was subsequently bought by Henrietta Knight on behalf of owner Mike Grech, in whose colours he runs here.

Willie Mullins: saddles the promising Lord RoyalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Nevertheless, it will take a pretty good performance from Floueur to down Lord Royal, who looked well above average when sauntering to a 33-length success on his first start for the champion trainer at Clonmel a month ago.

On that occasion Lord Royal coped with the very heavy ground to grind his rivals into submission, which suggests he will have no trouble with this step up to three miles.

However, it is not a two-horse race. Mark Fahey’s stable star Well Set Up is extremely effective over the trip on the ground and the mare sets a decent standard.

Lord Royal should prove himself good enough though, after which you can expect a flurry of quotes for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. He looks tailor-made for that race.

What the stats say

This is a race Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead have dominated, with Mullins winning five of the last seven runnings and De Bromhead the other two.

Mullins has won six of the past nine runnings, including 12 months ago with Allaho – who beat Minella Indo before that horse reversed the form at Cheltenham and Punchestown – and subsequent dual Cheltenham Festival winner Don Poli in 2014.

De Bromhead’s winners were Monalee in 2017 and Chris’s Dream in 2018. Seven of the past ten winners have been sent off favourite.

Monalee pictured winning the Grade 3 in 2017Credit: Patrick McCann

The biggest-priced winner in the last decade was Arkwrisht, who was sent of 12-1 when winning for Mullins in 2016.

What the trainers say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Floueur and Run Wild Fred
Floueur has form on heavy ground but this is his first time tackling three miles and that would be the worry. Run Wild Fred was in the process of running a nice race when he fell last time. He’ll like the trip.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Vis Ta Loi and Lord Royal
Lord Royal was good at Clonmel and, while this is a tough race, the trip and the ground should suit. Vis Ta Loi should also be suited by the ground and trip.

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