Queally hoping to Sort Naas puzzle
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Thu 8 Jan 2026
I’ll Sort That bids to provide his trainer Declan Queally with a first Grade One success in the Ballymore Novice Hurdle at Naas on Friday.
A quality field of 10 runners has assembled for the feature event of a meeting that was frozen off last Sunday before being rescheduled by Horse Racing Ireland, with the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Saint Baco and Sortudo the top two in the market.
I’ll Sort That has won each of his three previous starts over obstacles, completing the hat-trick in the Grade Three For Auction Novice Hurdle at Navan in November to earn himself a step up to the highest level.
Queally, who also rides the six-year-old, said: “We’re happy with him, he had a nice chance to freshen up after Navan and he’s had a lovely preparation. Nothing has gone wrong and we’re looking forward to it.
“I’d say the step up to two-and-a-half (miles) will suit him and there’s rain coming so I’d say the ground will be hard work, which will suit him as he is tough and he stays.
“He’s done nothing wrong over hurdles and stayed very well in Navan – he was well on top at the line.
“It’s a hot race, but if you’re not in you can’t win and were prepared to give it a good go.”
Gordon Elliott saddles three runners, with Jack Kennedy aboard Classical Creek, Sam Ewing on Lord Rouge and Danny Gilligan partnering outsider Kovanis.
Speaking last week, Elliott said: “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.
“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.”
Fruit De Mer (Henry de Bromhead), Switch From Diesel (Ross O’Sullivan), Letos (Tony Mullins) and recent Leopardstown scorer Frankie John (Denis Hogan) complete the line-up.
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