1st - €6,555.00 2nd - €1,615.00 3rd - €760.00 4th - €475.00 Fine

FormscanBy Gary Carson - SACRE MALTA looks the obvious one here turning out quickly under a penalty. Willie Murphy revealed after his easy Limerick win that his horses have been very sick. Although having to suffer a lean spell it perhaps means that a few of his are well handicapped and the selection is hard to ignore carrying a 6lb penalty after running away with a similar contest four days ago. He should again hold Billybuster who chased him home then. Another interesting runner that could be well in is Thebarberkelly. He landed a big gamble on the all-weather at Dundalk last month and could be much better than he has shown over hurdles so far. The only negative is that the better surface was given as a reason for his improvement on the level so the testing conditions here are a worry. Pretty Happy rarely runs a bad race and although probably not the best handicapped horse she could have place prospects again here.

An extended handicap hurdle for four yrs old and upwards rated 80-95
Penalties - Winner of a hurdle race after calculation of the handicap to carry 6lb extra for each hurdle race won.
Riders - Confined to Professional under I.N.H.S. Rules who have not lost the right to claim the 7lb allowance under Rule 52 (iii). Allowances (which are not cumulative, up to and including 28th December) who have not ridden the winner of a *race allowed 4lb Those who have not ridden the winners of of 5 *races allowed 2lb No allowance to riders under Rule 52 (iii) may be claimed.