Unbeaten Malone Road set for long-awaited return at Ballinrobe

Tiger Roll, Dorans Pride and Presenting Percy all have wins at Ballinrobe on their illustrious CVs and Malone Road bids to add his name to that impressive list as the unbeaten six-year-old returns in the Broderick's Electrical Maiden Hurdle (5.10).

Malone Road was ante-post favourite for the 2019 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham after a wide-margin win over Mt Leinster at Punchestown but a knee injury ruled him out for that season and, just when he was about to return to the track last November, he picked up another setback.

Having been back in training since the spring, Gordon Elliott is keen to get one of his most exciting young horses back on track and is looking forward to seeing how he fares at Ballinrobe, where he will likely be the hot favourite to keep his unbeaten record intact.

Elliott said: "Malone Road is a horse we have always thought a lot of and he's been unlucky with injuries over the last two seasons. He is still only six so hopefully his best days are still ahead of him.

"It is great to have him back. He's a very decent horse and has been back in since the spring so I was keen to get him out early and, fingers crossed, it all goes according to plan."

Malone Road: will make his first appearance since 2018Credit: Patrick McCann

Malone Road is already as short as 16-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at next year's Cheltenham Festival, and for his season opener will be ridden by Keith Donoghue for the first time.

Elliott is doubly represented in the feature 3m1½f handicap hurdle (7.45) with 5lb claimer Sean O'Keeffe on Gealach and Denis O'Regan taking the ride on Tiger Twenty Two.

Elliott said of the pair: "They are both in good form and, hopefully, have decent chances. It looks an open enough race."

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