World rules for Morris

The highly-regarded Rule The World coasted to an impressive victory in the Grade 2 Slaney Novice Hurdle in Naas yesterday as 1/4 favourite Champagne Fever flopped badly, trailing in a distant third before being found to have “a respiratory tract infection”.

The race was run at a strong pace, with the odds-on favourite pressed for the lead throughout by Minsk, with Davy Russell tracking the leading pair all the way. Ruby Walsh, on Champagne Fever was sending out distress signals going to the third last, where Minsk edged ahead and, as they headed for the next, Russell produced Rule The World to challenge as the favourite weakened quickly.

In front on landing at the penultimate flight, Rule The World was soon in command and eased clear to slam Minsk by sixteen lengths, with Champagne Fever another twenty-four lengths adrift.