The Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle is a Grade 3 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Clonmel over a distance of 3 miles (4,828 metres), and during its running there are 14 flights of hurdles to be jumped. It is scheduled to take place each year in February.
The race was first run in 2003, became a Listed race in 2008 and was awarded Grade 3 status in 2013.
Records Leading jockey (4 wins): Ruby Walsh – Cooldine (2008), Inish Island (2013), Arkwrisht (2016), Allaho (2019)
Leading trainer (7 wins): Willie Mullins – Cooldine (2008), Bishopsfurze (2011), Inish Island (2013), Don Poli (2014), Roi Des Francs (2015), Arkwrisht (2016), Allaho (2019)
Winners Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer 2003 Megsie Here 6 Derek O'Connor P R Lenihan 2004 Collier County 9 J P Magnier Edward O'Grady 2005 Carraig Blue 6 M Darcy E Sheehy 2006 Stoneville 6 Conor O'Dwyer E McNamara2007 Abandoned : waterlogged 2008 Cooldine 6 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2009 On The Way Out 6 T J Doyle John E Kiely 2009 Caim Hill 6 B T O'Connell Philip Fenton 2010 Quito De La Roque 6 Davy Russell Colm Murphy 2011 Bishopsfurze 6 Paul Townend Willie Mullins 2012 Folsom Blue 5 Davy Russell Conor O'Dwyer 2013 Inish Island 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2014 Don Poli 5 Bryan Cooper Willie Mullins 2015 Roi Des Francs 6 Bryan Cooper Willie Mullins 2016 Arkwrisht 6 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2017 Monalee 6 David Mullins Henry de Bromhead 2018 Chris's Dream 6 Mark Walsh Henry de Bromhead 2019 Allaho 5 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins 2020 Run Wild Fred 6 Mark Walsh Gordon Elliott 2021 Frontal Assault 6 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott 2022 Shantreusse 6 Rachael Blackmore Henry de Bromhead 2023 Monty's Star 6 Sean Flanagan Henry de Bromhead 2024 Search For Glory 7 Jack Kennedy Gordon Elliott 2025 Ballybow 6 Sam Ewing Gordon Elliott 2026 Lord Rouge 5 Danny Gilligan Gordon Elliott
See also Horseracing in Ireland List of Irish National Hunt races
References Racing Post: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,