The Ballymore Properties Novices Hurdle used to be called the Neptune and also the old Sun Alliance novices hurdle, the sponsors change all the time but most still considered it as the Sun Alliance and the youngsters race for those with a bit of stamina. It’s not all about stamina though, with the 2010 winner Peddlers Cross finishing second to Hurricane Fly in the following year's Champion Hurdle and the great Istabraq also was triumphant back in 1997. One thing is for sure though and that is it will be a large field and they will go a good pace right from the off.

Irish trained horses must be respected in this race having triumphed sixtimes in ten years, with Mullins himself being responsible for back to back wins in 2008 and 2009, but the home brigade have got back in the picture when Simonsig won for Nicky Henderson in 2012 and The New One for Nigel Twiston-Davies in 2013.

Faugheen wrestled the race back for the Irish in 2014 and that man Willie Mullins was responsible along with jockey Ruby Walsh. 2015 Dermot Weld trained Windsor Park to victory for yet another Irish win. In 2016 the combination teamed up to win it again with Yorkhill. 2017 saw Willoughby Court take it down at 14/1.