1.20 2m. 6 Declared. Poplar Square S'chase (Grade 3) of €27,500.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €16,500.00 2nd - €5,500.00 3rd - €2,750.00 4th - €1,375.00 5th - €825.00 6th - €550.00
FormscanBy Gary Carson - CAPTAIN GUINNESS looks the pick at the weights here. He had a few jumping issues last season, like a few of these, but is a talented performer and ran a fine race to finish third in the Arkle at Cheltenham last season. He had been running a big race at Leopardstown prior to that, moving up to challenge Energumene only to crash out at the second last. The fact that he has no penalties in this looks a big advantage. Darver Star also gets weight from the top two. His chasing career started promisingly but he struggled a touch moving up in grade and connections reverted to hurdles last season. Andy Dufresne was pulled up when last seen at Fairyhouse in April but his form was good before that, winning a Grade 3 contest at Navan before finishing third to Monkfish at the top level in Leopardstown. He could be a danger now. Stable-mate Felix Desjy is talented on his day and has the benefit of a recent run but giving weight away to his rivals looks a tough task.
A steeplechase for four years old and upwards that have not won a steeplechase before 3rd May, 2020Weights - 4-y-o 10st 9lbs 5-y-o and up 11st 3lbs Mares allowed 7lbsPenalties - Penalties (handicaps excluded) - Winner of two steeplechases 4lb extra Of three steeplechases or a Grade 3 steeplechase 7lb extra Of two Grade 3 steeplechases or a Grade 2 steeplechase 9lb extra Of a Grade 1 steeplechase 11lb extra