'She's in very good shape' - Noel Meade in confident mood for Thurles feature

Billy Harney Memorial Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle (Listed) | 1m7½f | 4yo+ | RTV

Noel Meade’s The Model Kingdom bids to maintain the excellent start she has made to her career in a race won by the likes of Honeysuckle (2018) and Shattered Love (2016).

The mare announced herself a smart performer when winning the Grade 3 Weatherbys Mares Flat Race at Punchestown in April. After a maiden hurdle win on her return, the five-year-old finished third in the Grade 3 Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle at Down Royal before scoring in impressive fashion at Punchestown last month.

“I’m very happy with her,” said Meade. “She’s in very good shape and should go well.”

The Gordon Elliott-trained Liberty Dance was behind The Model Kingdom in sixth in the Feathard Lady, but that was her hurdling debut and she stepped up on that effort with a comfortable maiden victory here at the start of the month.

With Jack Kennedy heading to Navan, Denis O’Regan takes the ride on the five-year-old who heads the market.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Belle The Lioness bumped into a decent type in Intranet on her hurdling debut at Punchestown.

“She’s in good form and ran well last time,” said De Bromhead. Darragh O’Keeffe replaces Rachael Blackmore, who is also riding at Navan.

Peter Fahey is doubly represented by A Law of Her Own and Rocco Bay. The trainer was impressed with A Law Of Her Own when third in the Thurles race won by Liberty Dance, and Fahey believes she has potential.

“She probably wants nicer ground but I thought she ran a lovely race last time,” said Fahey. “She’s a nice mare and hopefully she can pick up a bit of black type.”

Rocco Bay was pulled up at Wexford last time when bidding for a hat-trick over half a mile further than today's race. “It was too far for her and the ground didn't suit,” said Fahey. “She probably wants it faster and hopefully she can bounce back here.”

The field is completed by Littel Flour, a remote 86-length second behind Gaelic Warrior at Tramore recently, and Well Funded, who looks to have a bit to find.

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