Superb Entry For Newly-Sponsored Grade 1 Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle

A new sponsor and a top-class 73-strong entry are revealed today for what promises to be one of the most exciting races at Punchestown's 2007 Irish National Hunt Festival.

The EUR110,000 Grade 1 Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle will be backed for the first time by Land Rover Ireland when taking place on Friday, April 27, and the 2m 4f contest could feature a line-up that includes Massini's Maguire, Wichita Lineman and Ebaziyan, respectively winners of the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle, Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle and Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Trainer Noel Meade - who accounts for nine of the 73 entries - today confirmed that Aran Concerto, who finished fifth behind Massini's Maguire when favourite for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, could bid to bounce back to form in the Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle with Paul Carberry on board.

'He just didn't settle and didn't jump at Cheltenham,' said Meade. 'Tony (McCoy) said that he ran very babyish and was never happy. He thought that a faster run race would have suited him better and he suggested that he might have been better suited by the two-mile race.

'The horse seems well and Punchestown is the plan but I haven't decided yet whether he'll for the Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle or the two-mile race (vcbet.com Champion Novice Hurdle). We'll see how it goes closer to the day and what the ground's like before making a decision.'

Meade could field a big team in the Land Rover Novice Hurdle with Leading Run, Aimatov and Casey Jones all possibles for the Grade 1 event.

'Leading Run may go for the Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle. He's in good form and seems to be well. He likes good ground and maybe two and a half miles will suit him better than three,' added Meade. 'Aitmatov and Casey Jones are in there and are both horses who I think will like the better ground.

'They've both finished behind Kazal but he's a horse who may just be better on softer ground and they might turn it around on better ground.'

Recent winners of the Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle include Asian Maze, Nicanor and the legendary Istabraq. It takes place on the Festival´s final day, which in 2006 attracted almost 30,000 people, a modern day record for Punchestown.

David Harpur, Managing Director of Land Rover Ireland, said: 'We are very pleased to sponsor this year´s Champion Novice Hurdle. Land Rover has a history of strong associations with the equestrian world and our vehicles have always played an important role in the lifestyle of anyone involved in the sport.

'We already have strong relationships with a number of other equestrian events throughout the country. The brand is synonymous with the equestrian arena and we take every opportunity to encourage and support those with similar passions.'

Those attending Punchestown for the Festival will have the opportunity to view the re-modelled iconic Land Rover Defender. The Land Rover Defender, which is a direct descendant of the original Land Rover of 1948, has undergone a major upgrade.

Dick O´Sullivan, General Manager of Punchestown Racecourse, added: 'It´s great to have Land Rover on board for the Champion Novice Hurdle and strengthen their long standing association with Punchestown and the National Hunt Festival. We had record attendances and betting figures at last year´s Festival and we´re looking forward to another record-breaking Festival later this month.'

This is the second involvement of Land Rover at the Punchestown Festival. It is also involved with Goffs Bloodstock Sales in sponsoring the Goffs Land Rover Bumper, which takes place on Tuesday, April 24, 2007.

The Goffs Land Rover Bumper is worth EUR75,000 and the owner of the winning horse will also win the keys to a brand new Land Rover Discovery 3 Commercial. All of the horses that are eligible to race in this year´s Bumper were purchased at the Goffs Land Rover Sale last June. Previous winners of this race include dual Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace and Champion Chase star Newmill, while Brave Inca and Schindlers Hunt were also bought at Goffs.