Ballybow on Albert Bartlett trial at Clonmel

The Grade 3 Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle is the highlight at Clonmel this afternoon with both Ballybow and Ballygunner Castle aiming to book their tickets for next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

This three-mile event has occasionally proved a significant guide to the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in the past, notably Allaho beating Minella Indo here in 2019 before the latter went on to land the Cheltenham Grade 1.

Ballybow, who drew clear to win a 2m3f Naas maiden in good style last month, holds an entry in the Albert Bartlett while Ballygunner Castle overcame interference to win a 25-runner 2m Fairyhouse maiden and the dual bumper winner now takes a big step up in distance.

Ballygunner Castle holds an entry in the 2m5f Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Kalnoo is a huge outsider in the three-runner affair, but the Kalanisi mare only needs to complete to gain some valuable black type.

The first on an eight-race card at Clonmel gets underway at 12.35 and the going is currently described as soft, yielding in places.

The forecast is for a mainly dry day with rain arriving after racing.