Royal Bond NAP and NB: 'He cost connections the princely sum of £200,000' It's a massive day at Fairyhouse on Sunday with a card that includes a double helping of Grade 1 action amongst six races at Listed/Graded level. The Grade 2 Bar One Betting Royal Bond Novice Hurdle takes place at 1.35pm and has been won by the likes of Istabraq, Moscow Flyer, Hurricane Fly, Jezki, Nichols Canyon, Envoi Allen and Marine Nationale in the past. A field of 10 were declared, with €51,000 for the winner, and our expert has picked out a pair to follow. NAP: Port Authority Next Best: Love Me Tender Top teams all in the picture The Royal Bond has attracted Ireland's top handlers, with Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Henry de Bromhead and Gavin Cromwell all represented. The De Bromhead team saddles both Gameball and Scope To Improve, easy winners of maidens at Punchestown and Clonmel on their most recent starts, while Cromwell has The Passing Wife attempting to build on his third at Gowran Park earlier in the month. Paul Nolan has been amongst the winners recently and saddles Wexford maiden winner Sageborough, but this could be a shootout between the Mullins and Elliott yards. Elliott's Port Authority to lay down the law Elliott enjoyed a nice winner at Newbury on Friday when Highland Crystal impressed in making it 2-2 over timber and the Cullentra handler will be hoping PORT AUTHORITY can follow suit. The Martinborough gelding was impressive when landing his only start in a point-to-point at Borris House in March and made the move to Elliott afterwards. He was second-choice in the betting on his debut at Naas (2m, soft to heavy) this month behind Galway bumper winner Murat, but Jack Kennedy's partner made short work of the challenge as they coasted away to win by 17 lengths. He cost connections the princely sum of £200,000 after his point win and he already looks the part. Eventually he may want a step up in trip but 2m was no obstacle on debut and he can take the Royal Bond - a contest his trainer has won four times since 2017. Mullins' charge not dismissed easily Of course, Mullins has bagged this race on 10 occasions, with Nichols Canyon and Hurricane Fly amongst those to capture the prize. Recent winners Statuaire (2021) and Tounsivator (2024) weren't exactly stars in the making. The champion trainer goes with just one contender now and LOVE ME TENDER has leading claims in the JP McManus silks. The four-year-old Doctor Dino gelding is 2-2 over timber after wins at Kilbeggan (2m3f, good to yielding) in July and early last month at Tipperary (2m, good to yielding) when beating Whimsy into second spot in a Grade 3 event. That was weak on paper for the grade and the runner-up was plenty exposed in what was his 14th start over jumps. Mark Walsh's partner looks set for a much more searching examination of his ability now. He could be equal to it, but has a 3lb penalty in this contest and that could pave the way for Port Authority to land the Royal Bond.
