Possible Cheltenham clues as six look to join illustrious roll of honour

Sky Sports Racing Launching January 1st Novice Hurdle
2.10 Limerick | 3m | G2 | 4yo+ | ATR

There may be Champion Hurdle clues over at Leopardstown and a leading RSA contender in action, but it is worth keeping an eye on events at Limerick, especially at 2.10 when six horses will try to add their names to an illustrious roll of honour which includes Faugheen and Penhill.

This Grade 2 has been a stepping stone to Cheltenham glory in recent years. Penhill (2016) and Martello Tower (2015) both won it on the way to landing the Albert Bartlett the following March, while last year's winner Fabulous Saga traded at a low of 1.6 in the contest only to tire up on the run-in and finish seventh.

It was in this race too where Faugheen first showed us he could be a superstar, as he scored decisively by five lengths in 2013 under Emmet Mullins.

This time his trainer Willie Mullins is double-handed with Dorrells Pierji, who was last seen winning a novice hurdle at Galway in October, and Pleasure Dome.

Gordon Elliott has never won this race but has two decent chances to break his duck with Defi Bleu and Monbeg Worldwide.

Defi Bleu was sent off favourite for the Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle this month and did not run badly in finishing third to Easy Game, while Monbeg Worldwide was seventh in the same race but had won his previous two starts.

Elliott said: "Defi Bleu is in great form and has not done much wrong over hurdles. He's a nice sort and should go well.

"Monbeg Worldwide was a little disappointing in the same race but hopefully he's better than that."

Noel Meade showed what a talented trainer he is when getting Cap York to make a winning return from a two-year absence to score at Navan.

His rider Sean Flanagan said: "Cap York is a nice horse who stays very well and it was great to see him winning at Navan. Hopefully he can give another good account of himself."

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