Fresh from sending out a staggering 18 winners over the festive period, Gordon Elliott will be hoping his hot streak can continue into the new year, with the bang-in-form trainer responsible for four of the 10 entries for the first Grade 1 of 2026 - the Ballymore Novice Hurdle at Naas on Sunday.

Elliott has won the race five times in the last decade with Death Duty (2017), Battleoverdoyen (2019), Envoi Allen (2020), Ginto (2022) and The Yellow Clay (2025), and the exciting Classical Creek could lead the charge for the Cullentra camp in this year’s event. He has also entered Kovanis, Lord Rouge and Road Exile.

Willie Mullins is the most successful trainer in the history of the Ballymore Novice Hurdle, with 10 wins on the roll of honour. Sortudo, second favourite for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival behind No Drama This End, is one of two entries for the champion trainer, alongside Saint Baco, who was so impressive at Navan on his Irish debut.

Fruit De Mer, who won his maiden hurdle at the venue in November, will be out to give Henry de Bromhead his first win in the race since Bob Olinger in 2020, while Letos, who landed a competitive handicap hurdle on the same card, could see Tony Mullins bridge a 21-year gap since McGruders Cross struck under Shay Barry in 2004. Ross O’Sullivan’s consistent mare Switch From Diesel completes the 10-strong field at the five-day stage.

Speaking about his quartet for the race, Elliott said: “I have four in it at the moment and we could definitely run three of them. They are all nice horses. Classical Creek is a lovely young horse and is going to make a smashing novice chaser next season. He’s a horse I’ve always thought a lot of and I was delighted with the way he won at Navan back in November. Anything he does this season is going to be a bonus.

“I just love Road Exile’s attitude. He won a really hot maiden hurdle at Navan and he didn’t half stick his neck out when he needed to. He gives you everything and that goes a long way in this game. He’s got the most wonderful temperament.”

On his other two contenders, Elliott added: “Lord Rouge ran well in a point-to-point and won his maiden hurdle nicely at Cork. This would obviously be a big step up, but he’s a very nice horse. Kovanis is a nice young horse too and could run well.”