Rule The World may head straight to Cheltenham

Scintillating Naas scorer Rule The World is likely to head straight to the Cheltenham Festival in March should connections give a trip to Prestbury Park the green light.

The six-year-old appeared to have plenty on his plate stepping up to Grade Two level for the Slaney Novice Hurdle on Sunday, tackling two horses who had already proven their worth at the highest level in the Willie Mullins-trained Champagne Fever and Dessie Hughes’ Minsk.

The former was subsequently found to be suffering from a respiratory tract infection, but there did not appear to be any excuses for Minsk, who was brushed aside by Rule The World in impressive fashion.