Dedigout 'in good order' for Slaney

Tony Martin’s Dedigout puts his unbeaten record over timber on the line in the Slaney Novice Hurdle at Naas tomorrow.

The six-year-old impressed at Punchestown and Navan this winter, and faces five rivals as he steps up to Grade Two level.

“I’m very happy with him and he’s going into the race in good order,” said Martin.

“He’s done everything right on his first couple of runs over hurdles.

“This is another step up for him and there are some good horses in the race, but hopefully our lad will give a good account of himself.

“I haven’t even thought about Cheltenham or anything like that with him.

“We’ll just get Sunday out of the way and go from there.”

Mart Lane renews rivalry with Dedigout, having been beaten by three and a half lengths at Punchestown a month ago.

Trainer Shark Hanlon said: “He’s in great form, but I just hope the ground isn’t too deep.

“Tony Martin’s horse is obviously pretty good, and ideally our lad would like a bit better ground, but hopefully he will still run a good race.”

The Noel Meade-trained Monksland won a bumper by 11 lengths at Down Royal in November before making a victorious hurdling debut at Navan in December.

Meade said: “We skipped Christmas to come here as we felt the two and a half miles would suit him well.

“If there is a negative it would probably be the ground being deep, but there are only a handful of runners and hopefully he’ll be all right.

“It’s a good race and we’re looking forward to it.

“We like him a lot.”

Flycorn, Lyreen Legend and Owega Star complete the field.