Bective Stud owners Noel and Valerie Moran, whose green-and-white hooped silks are an ever-increasing presence in Gordon Elliott's Cullentra yard, appear to hold all the aces in Sunday's Grade 1 Lawlors of Naas Novice Hurdle at Naas.
Hollow Games (6/4) and Ginto (15/8) are both unbeaten over hurdles and head a field of seven for the 2m4f contest, which has been won by Bob Olinger and Envoi Allen in the last two years.
Elliott duo have previous
Ginto was a commanding winner of a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Navan last month, form that has subsequently been boosted by the runner-up Eric Bloodaxe - who was beaten 11 lengths by Ginto - running away with a Grade 2 at Limerick earlier this week.
Hollow Games recorded two wins from two starts in bumpers last season and has started life over hurdles in similar vein, winning a Grade 3 at Navan when last seen.
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The Willie Mullins-trained Whatdeawant and Grand Jury for the formidable duo of Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore form strong opposition, but Elliott is confident with his pair as he seeks a fourth win in the race in the last six seasons.
Elliott in bullish mood
"It's a race we like to run horses in," he said. "It's 2m4f on a brilliant track. Ginto looks like he could be anything. He's a horse for the future.
"He looks to be a chaser and was bought to be a chaser, so whatever he does over hurdles is going to be a bonus.
"Hollow Games is a nice horse. He'll like the step up in trip. He doesn't do anything flashy at home, but he's always there for you on the racecourse.
"They both deserve to take their chance in a race like this and we're looking forward to it."
