1.02 2m. 4 Declared. Poplar Square S'chase (Grade 2) of €60,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €36,000.00 2nd - €12,000.00 3rd - €6,000.00 4th - €3,000.00
FormscanBy Gary Carson - CASH BACK gets a nice pull of 8lb here off the top two and that could make the difference. He made Notebook pull out all the stops in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown last season and may be able to turn the tables now at these weights. This small field could suit Willie Mullins' charge who reportedly ran too freely when disappointing in the Arkle at Cheltenham back in March. Notebook was beaten favourite at Cheltenham when only a moderate sixth. He had looked the top Irish novice prior to that when winning two Grade One events at Leopardstown, beating Fakir D'oudairies at Christmas, and as mentioned above Cash Back at the Dublin Racing Festival. He is the form choice but giving weight away here to Cash Back looks a tough ask. Fakir D'oudairies was also a Grade One winner last season, when taking the Drinmore, and was very consistent, finishing second in the Arkle at Cheltenham. He is obviously also a big player in a cracking little heat.
A steeplechase for four years old and upwards that have not won a steeplechase before 5th May, 2019Weights - 4-y-o 10st 10lbs 5-y-o and up 11st 4lbs Mares allowed 7lbsPenalties - Penalties (handicaps excluded) - Winner of three steeplechases or of a Grade 3 steeplechase 3lb extra Of two Grade 3 steeplechases or of a Grade 2 steeplechase 6lb extra Of a Grade 1 steeplechase 8lb extra