The Slaney Novice Hurdle, currently known for sponsorship purposes as the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle, is a Grade One National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland. It is run in January at Naas Racecourse, over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4,023 metres) and during its running there are 11 flights of hurdles to be jumped. The race is often contested by horses who go on to compete at the Cheltenham Festival, such as the 1978 winner, Golden Cygnet, who went on to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and 2021 winner, Bob Olinger, who went on to win the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle.
The race was run over 2 miles and 3 furlongs until 1995. It was awarded Grade 3 status in 1993, raised to Grade 2 in 2005 and then to Grade 1 in 2015. The race is currently sponsored by Lawlor's Hotel.
Records Leading jockey since 1983 (4 wins): Ruby Walsh – Homer Wells (2005), Mikael D'haguenet (2009), Briar Hill (2014), Bellshill (2016)
Leading trainer since 1983 (9 wins): Willie Mullins - Homer Wells (2005), Mikael D'haguenet (2009), Gagewell Flyer (2011), Briar Hill (2014), Mckinley (2015), Bellshill (2016), Next Destination (2018), Champ Kiely (2023), Readin Tommy Wrong (2024)
Winners since 1983 Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer 1983 Stag Hill 6 Tommy Carmody J Durkan 1984 Straight Air 6 Colin Magnier Michael Cunningham1985 Abandoned 1986 Regular Time 5 Tom Taaffe Syl Kirk 1987 Flying Trove 6 Tom Taaffe Arthur Moore1988 Abandoned 1989 Have A Barney 8 Tom Taaffe Arthur Moore 1990 Scally Owen 6 Tony Mullins Paddy Mullins 1991 Nordic Surprise 4 E J Kearns Jnr Jim Bolger 1992 Irish Peace 4 Tommy Carmody Liam Browne 1993 Bucks-Choice 6 Tony Mullins Paddy Mullins 1994 Minella Lad 8 T Horgan Aidan O'Brien 1995 Ventana Canyon 6 Charlie Swan Edward O'Grady 1996 Rifawan 5 F Woods Arthur Moore1997 Abandoned 1998 Promalee 6 Richard Dunwoody Aidan O'Brien 1999 Glazeaway 6 Conor O'Dwyer Michael J O'Connor 2000 Champagne Native 6 Jason Titley Tom Taaffe 2001 Risk Accessor 6 Charlie Swan Christy Roche 2002 Canary Wharf 6 Barry Geraghty John Bleahen2003 Abandoned 2004 McGruders Cross 6 Shay Barry Tony Mullins 2005 Homer Wells 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2006 Toofarback 6 Niall Madden Noel Meade 2007 Kazal 6 Barry Geraghty Eoin Griffin 2008 Venalmar 6 Paddy Flood Mouse Morris 2009 Mikael D'haguenet 5 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins2010 Abandoned 2011 Gagewell Flyer 7 Emmet Mullins Willie Mullins 2012 Monksland 5 Paul Carberry Noel Meade 2013 Rule The World 6 Davy Russell Mouse Morris 2014 Briar Hill 6 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2015 Mckinley 5 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2016 Bellshill 6 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2017 Death Duty 6 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott 2018 Next Destination 6 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2019 Battleoverdoyen 6 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott 2020 Envoi Allen 6 Davy Russell Gordon Elliott 2021 Bob Olinger 6 Rachael Blackmore Henry de Bromhead 2022 Ginto 6 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott 2023 Champ Kiely 7 Danny Mullins Willie Mullins 2024 Readin Tommy Wrong 6 Daryl Jacob Willie Mullins 2025 The Yellow Clay 6 Sam Ewing Gordon Elliott 2026 I'll Sort That 6 Declan Queally Declan Queally
See also Horse racing in Ireland List of Irish National Hunt races
References
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