1.30 2m. 15 Declared. Goffs Supporting Irish Racing M'dn H'dle (DIV I) of €12,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €7,200.00 2nd - €2,400.00 3rd - €1,200.00 4th - €600.00 5th - €360.00 6th - €240.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - Sentimentality is surely a reason for top flat owner Michael Tabor retaining ownership of homebred METICULOUS but the gelding is nonetheless a useful performer and can get off the mark on his third hurdles outing. METICULOUS's dam and grandam both raced for Tabor and had close relationships to Cheltenham Festival Bumpers, with his dam filling second and fourth (2004 and 2005) and his grandam finishing third in the 1992 renewal. METICULOUS himself filled eighth in last year's renewal and while well held on two subsequent hurdle outings this year, those were in hot Grade 2 and Listed races and having not disgraced in either, this race looks well within his abilities. Coolbane Boy was himself a bumper winner at Thurles in January and comes here with his chance having proven himself over hurdles previously. However he too lacks a recent outing and might struggle to beat the selection. Jon Ess has been a marvellous servant, having won six times on the flat, and while his flat rating is now 92 on the all-weather and 88 on turf, he has been beaten in 13 hurdle outings and might again find one or two too strong. %0A
A hurdle for five years old and upwards, maidens at starting Weights - 12st Mares allowed 7lbs