Double out to book place at Festival

Double Irish is among those trying to earn a trip to the Cheltenham Festival in the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle at Clonmel today.

Gordon Elliott’s six-year-old made a big impression when opening his account over hurdles at the third attempt with a 13-length drubbing of his rivals at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and he has since been bought by leading owner Barry Connell.

Double Irish holds entries in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham next month, but first tests water at the Grade Three level.