7.00 2m. 8 Declared. Smart Move Properties H'cap H'dle of €15,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €9,000.00 2nd - €3,000.00 3rd - €1,500.00 4th - €750.00 5th - €450.00 6th - €300.00
FormscanBy Donal Murphy - Edward O'Grady has a strong hand here, saddling both Eclair De Beaufeu and DOWNTHECELLAR. Preference is for the latter who is a three-time course winner, looking to exploit his lower mark over flights. He was disappointingly beaten into second when sent off an odds-on chance on his most recent start at Thurles in October, but he did pull 12 lengths clear of the third. Eclair De Beaufeu has some very smart form to his name, filling the runner-up spot in the 2020 running of the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival, before finishing fourth in the County Hurdle the following year. His recent efforts at Killarney and Cork have been encouraging and he looks capable of making an impact with Kate Derwin taking 7lb off. Craic Eile (also entered on Saturday) won this race twelve months ago and has definite claims, while Ingleby MacKenzie, the 2018 winner, is another that warrants respect.
An extended handicap hurdle for four years old and upwards (123 = 11st 12lbs)Penalties - Winner of a hurdle race after calculation of the handicap shall carry 7lb extra for each hurdle race won.