LAWLOR’S in Naas is an iconic venue. Owned for many years by the family of the same name, famous also as the breeders of Arkle’s great rival Mill House, I associate it very much as home to the annual hunt ball, one of the social highlights of the year.

This year will see Lawlor’s begin a new era as it opens a large extension to the existing hotel which will add state of the art conference facilities as well as a beautiful wedding venue with gardens. There will also be an outstanding new dining venue and afternoon tea lounge, while guests will also enjoy the comfort of 74 new air-conditioned four-star bedrooms.

This welcome and encouraging news, in a time of uncertainly, is by way of mentioning that the nearby Naas Racecourse is again set to stage the opening National Hunt Grade 1 race of 2021, and the Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle has attracted some of the most exciting young hurdlers among 35 initial entries.

Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have won all six editions of the race since it was upgraded to Grade 1 status in 2015. It is no surprise that our two leading trainers are to the fore again for the January 10th feature.

Elliott won this year’s renewal with the superstar and still unbeaten Envoi Allen owned by Cheveley Park Stud. “The Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle has served us well over the last couple of years and we’ll be doing our best to start the year on a high by winning it again, so we have entered plenty of our nice novices,” Elliott said last week.

“It is early days yet as a lot of the horses we have entered will have options over the Christmas period, and we just need to weigh up our options and see what suits each horse. The Naas race could be one that suits a horse like Clondaw Secret. We’ll be well represented anyway.”

The first four home in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle all hold entries. On a day that has a strong local presence among the sponsors, the Fairyhouse fourth Dewcup may challenge for Kill-based Ted Walsh. Dewcup has kept good company since winning twice at Punchestown earlier this season and the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle is under strong consideration by the trainer. “We’ll have a look at the race at Naas and we’ll look at Christmas as well, but I like Naas and he could well go there,” Walsh said.

Gavin Cromwell’s Gabynako bolted up in a maiden hurdle at Naas last month and may return to the track for a crack at the top level, while the Emmet Mullins-trained Cape Gentleman is an intriguing entry after making a facile start over hurdles to add to his Irish Cesarewitch win during the summer at the Curragh.

Naas manager Eamonn McEvoy said: “We are thrilled with the quality and quantity of the entries for the Grade 1. The roll of honour speaks for itself and it comes at a good time in the calendar for trainers. Things will still be slightly different this year but it’s very pleasing to still have the fantastic support of some local sponsors such as Lawlor’s Hotel, Eastcoast Seafood, the Goulding family and the Rushe family, as well as longstanding sponsors Adare Manor and the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund. We’ll certainly make the most of the day.”

On behalf of Lawlor’s of Naas, Jack Tierney added: “Lawlor’s is entering its seventh consecutive year as sponsor of the Grade 1 novice hurdle. It will be a new experience for us to watch online - a new experience for a new year!”