World Hurdle target for Rule

Trainer Mouse Morris has confirmed Rule The World will head straight for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March following his impressive display at Naas on Saturday.

The seven-year-old chased home leading Champion Hurdle contender The New One in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival before suffering a potentially life-threatening pelvic injury at Punchestown in April.

He recovered remarkably quickly, however, making a winning comeback at Naas in October before running with credit in Grade One events at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown.