Hello Neighbour to defend unbeaten record at Dublin Racing Festival

Triumph Hurdle favourite Hello Neighbour is set to first bid for Grade One glory at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Gavin Cromwell’s charge is unbeaten after two wins on the Flat and a Boxing Day Leopardstown success on his debut over obstacles.

Having been sent off as a well-backed 9-4 favourite for the Grade Two O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle, Hello Neighbour just held on by a short-head from the Willie Mullins-trained Lady Vega Allen.

However, that run was still good enough to earn him top spot in most bookmakers’ ante-post markets on the Triumph, alongside James Owen’s East India Dock.

Cromwell said: “Hello Neighbour has come out of his run at Leopardstown well and will go back there for the Grade One at the Dublin Racing Festival (February 1).”

Majborough was third to Kargese in the same race last season before going on to prevail at Cheltenham, while other recent winners include Quilixios, Vauban and Gala Marceau.

Cromwell enjoyed plenty of success over the festive period, with other significant scorers being Perceval Legallois and Al Gasparo in valuable handicaps, plus Bioluminescence in a Grade Two novice chase.

However, Inothewayurthinkin had his limitations exposed when fifth behind Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase and Limerick Lace was 25 lengths adrift of Allegorie De Vassy at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day.

The trainer added: “Inothewayurthinkin ran well the last day, but I don’t know what to do with him. He looks short of being a Gold Cup horse at the minute. I’m not sure where we will go.

“Limerick Lace is proving very frustrating. She has been in great form at home, but didn’t want to know about it the last couple of runs. She’s been very disappointing.”