4.45 2m. 3f. 180yds. 9 Declared. Louis Fitzgerald Hotel H'dle of €20,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €12,000.00 2nd - €4,000.00 3rd - €2,000.00 4th - €1,000.00 5th - €600.00 6th - €400.00
FormscanBy Michael Graham - FILS D'OUDAIRIES can make a successful raid for Nicky Henderson. His two starts for Henderson have yielded runner-up spots in a Class 2 handicap hurdle at Ascot in January and a Grade 3 handicap hurdle at Aintree this month. The latest effort was particularly solid as he was eight lengths clear of the third home in that 21-runner race. He is closely matched on ratings with Willie Mullins' Ganapathi. It would be fair to say Ganapathi hasn't put his best foot forward this year as he weakened out of contention in the Coral Cup and was a beaten favourite in third at Cork. He is more than capable of bouncing back, though. It is worth noting that he was still in with a chance in the Grade 1 champion novice hurdle at last year's Punchestown Festival before falling at the last. His stablemate, Gibraltar, will love this ground and should come on plenty from a second place at Cork after a lengthy absence.
A hurdle for four years old and upwards which have not won more than one hurdle raceWeights - 4-y-o 10st 8lbs 5-y-o and up 11st 4lbs Mares allowed 7lbsPenalties - Penalty - Winner of a hurdle race 6lb extra