3.15 2m. 7f. 6 Declared. P & D Lydon Rated Novice S'chase of €11,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €6,600.00 2nd - €2,200.00 3rd - €1,100.00 4th - €550.00 5th - €330.00 6th - €220.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - The handicapper has been kind to OSCAR ACADEMY in letting him in to today's race as the 128 rated hurdler now competes in this 0-120 bracket and he can win. A dual point-to-point winner, he won two consecutive staying hurdles for Olly Murphy last season and finished 12th in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at Cheltenham for new connections subsequently. His two chase outings thus far were unexciting, thus he qualifies for this race, but now steps up to a more suitable trip, receives weight from the two previous winners and can get the better of stablemate Brex Drago from level weights. Brex Drago was himself 12th in the 2019 County Hurdle at Cheltenham and while he is the winner of no less than 12 races, has yet to win in 10 eventful chase outings. He is rated 120 over fences though and could give his stablemate a race. Baily Thunder was a good winner of his only previous chase at Sligo in September and while beaten from 104 over hurdles subsequently, reverting to chasing will suit better. Rueben James' Clonmel form was boosted by the winner subsequently landing the Munster National and he can get involved for the placings. Lunch In Adare is capable enough and has place claims following a reasonable runner-up run at Roscommon in September. %0A
A novice steeplechase for four years old and upwards which at entry are rated 120 or less (also open to horses which at entry are rated 120 or less in hurdle races)Weights - 4-y-o 10st 9lbs 5-y-o and up 11st 5lbsPenalties - Winner of a steeplechase 4lb extra Of two steeplechases 7lb extra