Unbeaten Andy Dufresne out to continue brilliant start in Navan Novice Hurdle

Navan Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)| 2m4f | 4yo+| RTV

Hugely exciting novice hurdler Andy Dufresne will face three rivals as he bids to maintain his unbeaten record and add his name to an illustrious roll of honour in the Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle.

The well-touted point-to-point and bumper winner could not have been more impressive when getting off the mark over hurdles for Gordon Elliott over course and distance last month and will be a short price to continue his bright start to life in this sphere.

Only stablemate Envoi Allen is shorter than the five-year-old in the ante-post markets for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, with Andy Dufresne a best-priced 9-1 for that Cheltenham Festival prize.

Andy Dufresne is a best-priced 9-1 for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in MarchCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The 2008 winner Mikael D'Haguenet is the last horse to win this contest before enjoying Ballymore success in the spring, but there have been no shortage of star winners in this novice event from Solerina in 2002 to Death Duty in 2016.

Elliott is seeking his third victory in the race and is also represented by recent Fairyhouse maiden hurdle winner Conflated.

"Andy Dufresne seems in good form after winning well at the course last time," said the Meath handler. "He steps up in class and we're looking forward to seeing him run."

Elliott added: "Conflated was good at Fairyhouse last time and we're stepping him up in trip so we'll see about the extra half mile. He's a nice horse."

Paul Nolan's promising performer Latest Exhibition only found Abacadabras too strong in last month's For Auction Novice Hurdle over 2m and is aware he could be meeting another top-notch Elliott novice again here.

He said: "We're hoping he can produce a positive run and the extra half a mile should suit, but we're taking on one of the best novices around, probably one of Gordon Elliott's best horses, so we'd be delighted to run respectably.

Latest Exhibiton (right) ran with credit when second in the Grade 3 For Auction Novice Hurdle at Navan last monthCredit: Caroline Norris

"This run can dictate as to where we're going with our horse."

The final member of the quartet is the Gigginstown-owned Sixshooter, with trainer Noel Meade is hoping his useful novice can bounce back from a recent Gowran defeat.

"We were very disappointed with his run last time but I’m not altogether sure he handles that real testing ground," said Meade.

"We’re going to let him take his chance and hopefully he can run well. It's a small field but he's taking on some very good horses."

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