4.10 3m. 2f. 70yds. 12 Declared. St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase (Class 2 ) of £50,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €24,445.00 2nd - €12,220.00 3rd - €6,110.00 4th - €3,055.00 5th - €1,530.00 6th - €765.00
Formscan - Unbeaten under Rules and in the point-to-point sphere since emerging as a surprise winner of this race last year, Premier Magic is a good place to start with his proven ability to handle the hustle and bustle of the Festival a valuable asset. However, as is the case with several others, the ability to handle truly testing ground at this level is a cause for concern and he might struggle to uphold the form with last year's runner-up Its On The Line, who is more proven on heavy. Even so, it is the lightly-raced FERNS LOCK who shades the vote. He finished half a length behind Its On The Line at Down Royal's Christmas fixture and can turn the form around now he's effectively 7lb better off with Its On The Line when taking into account jockey claims. Billaway rates the pick of the other Irish contenders.