Sire Du Berlais primed for red-hot Grade 1 clash with Ronald Pump and Fury Road

Ronald Pump: last season's Stayers' Hurdle runner-up

Sire Du Berlais (centre) looks set to clash with Ronald Pump (right) in the Leopardstown Christmas HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

It's on! Ireland's leading staying hurdlers are primed to clash in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown on December 28, with JP McManus's racing manager Frank Berry confirming that Sire Du Berlais is on course to face Ronald Pump and Fury Road in the 3m test.

The two-time Pertemps Final hero marked himself out as a live Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle contender when winning on his first Graded start outside of handicap company at Navan last month and is now a top-priced 7-1 with bet365 and Sky Bet for Cheltenham Festival glory.

Connections had the option of tackling Paisley Park and Thyme Hill in the Porsche Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot this weekend, but instead opted to bid for top-level honours closer to home this month.

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Mark BoylanReporter

Published on 19 December 2020inNews

Last updated 11:23, 19 December 2020

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