The Gordon Elliott-trained Hollow Games won bumpers at Punchestown and Leopardstown last season and followed a maiden hurdle victory at Down Royal with a Grade 3 triumph at Navan last time.
Stablemate Ginto, similarly owned by Bective Stud, also contests the Naas Grade 1 over 2m4f. He beat subsequent winner Eric Bloodaxe when landing a Grade 2 at Navan last time and is the mount of Jack Kennedy, with Davy Russell partnering Hollow Games.
Ginto’s sole defeat came on his bumper debut at Fairyhouse in January when second to Whatdeawant, who reopposes as Willie Mullins’ sole runner in this €85,000 event.
The Sean and Bernardine Mulryan-owned five-year-old made a successful hurdling debut at Navan this month, with Mullins seeking a ninth victory in the Naas feature.
Grand Jury represents the Bob Olinger team of Rachael Blackmore, Henry de Bromhead and owners Robcour and he steps up in trip having won a maiden hurdle over 2m at Punchestown on his return.
Churchstonewarrior, The Little Yank and Angels Dawn, who is turned out six days on from finishing third to Eric Bloodaxe at Limerick, complete the field.
Subsequent Grand National hero Rule The World, Punchestown Gold Cup and Irish Gold Cup winner Bellshill and Next Destination and Battleoverdoyen are other notable names to land the race in the past decade.
Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle runners
1 Churchstonewarrior Mark Walsh
2 Ginto Jack Kennedy
3 Grand Jury Rachael Blackmore
4 Hollow Games Davy Russell
5 The Little Yank Danny Mullins
6 Whatdeawant Rider tbc
7 Angels Dawn Brian Hayes
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