Exciting pair Battleoverdoyen and Tornado Flyer face off in Grade 1 showdown

Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2m4f | RTV

Neither Battleoverdoyen nor Tornado Flyer have put a foot wrong this season, but that will change on Sunday afternoon as the Cheltenham aspirants put their unbeaten hurdling records on the line in Ireland's first Grade 1 of the year.

Only Gordon Elliott has managed to keep the ball kicked out to Willie Mullins in this race recently, with the champion trainer winning four of the last five renewals and his big rival snaring the prize on the other occasion.

It’s Mullins and Elliott who face off again, with Ireland’s powerhouses represented at the head of the market, and little separating their respective runners Tornado Flyer and Battleoverdoyen.

Tornado Flyer, last year’s Grade 1 Racing Post Champion Bumper winner at Punchestown, spearheads a trio of runners for Mullins.

Speaking about the choice of Ruby Walsh, the trainer said: "We were very pleased with his maiden hurdle win over this trip at Punchestown last month.

"He won nicely and the way he jumped a bit to the left would suggest that Naas should suit him well. We think he's come forward well from his win."

Tornado Flyer spearheads a trio of runners for Willie MullinsCredit: Patrick McCann

Mullins’ hand is completed by Come To Me, an impressive winner of a maiden hurdle at Cork, and Getareason, who brings plenty of experience to the table.

He added: "We’ve been happy with Come To Me since Cork and you’d imagine he’ll have improved from the run. We think the step up from two miles won’t be a problem – it might even suit him better.

"Getareason has a lot more experience than Come To Me and Tornado Flyer. He's in good form.

"This will be a big step up for him in terms of grade but he jumps well and also has jumping experience under his belt from last season. We're hoping for a good run from him."

Battleoverdoyen impresses under Jack Kennedy at NavanCredit: Patrick McCann

Elliott's Battleoverdoyen and Commander Of Fleet will be bidding to highlight their Cheltenham Festival claims.

He said: "Battleoverdoyen has been in great form since Navan and this was the obvious race to aim for with him.

"He was good over two miles last time but he always struck me like a horse who would be at his best over longer trips so the race at Naas looks an ideal distance for him.

"This is a big step up from his maiden hurdle but I'm very happy with him and I think there is more to come. Hopefully he'll run a big race but this does look like quite a strong renewal."

On Commander Of Fleet, he added: "He just found two miles a little on the sharp side last time.

"He won his maiden hurdle over this trip and I think he'll be much happier coming back to this distance.

"He's got to improve if he's to be closely involved here but he's definitely capable of improving on what he's shown over hurdles so far."

The race may be billed as a match between the Mullins and Elliott-trained runners but Joseph O’Brien is quietly confident of a good showing from Lone Wolf, winner of a 20-runner maiden hurdle at Punchestown last time.

O’Brien said: "He's in good form. This will be a big step up for him in terms of grade but he jumps well and also has jumping experience under his belt from last season. We're hoping for a good run from him."

The nine-runner field is completed by the Mouse Morris-trained Sams Profile, Noel Meade's First Approach and Jessica Harrington's Magnium.

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