2.45 2m. 1f. 17 Declared. Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beg. S'chase of €15,500.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €9,300.00 2nd - €3,100.00 3rd - €1,550.00 4th - €775.00 5th - €465.00 6th - €310.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - Last season's high class novice hurdler EASYWORK can make a winning debut over fences here. He has shown very strong form throughout his six race career, culminating with a pair of Grade 1 runner-up efforts at Leopardstown in February and Cheltenham (behind Envoi Allen) in March. He drops back to 2m1f today for his chases debut, which isn't ideal as he possibly prefers slightly further, but he has nonetheless shown good form at this trip and his trainer traditionally does very well at this racemeeting. Similarly owned Embittered was also a smart novice hurdler last term and while he wasn't quite as good as EASYWORK, did still place at Grade 1 level (albeit beaten 20L) and was also third in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. He will be well suited by todays trip but might find the selection too strong. Stablemate Top Moon is another notable recruit to fences having proven himself a very able handicapper over hurdles. He was well enough held in hot handicaps on his most recent two runs but has a rating in the 140s and could go well. Another stablemate Dlauro is probably best watched on his return from a near-year long absence having looked potentially smart in winning his point-to-point and bumper but has clearly had training issues. Similarly owned Donkey Years is interesting given he won in taking style on debut last December but is also best watched on reappearance and chase debut. Le Musigny and Mister Fogpatches bring some recent chase form here but this is a much stiffer test for both horses while Abraham, Farmix, Port Stanley, Ujumpthelastuwin and Shopping Around are all very capable horses but face a tough test here.
A steeplechase for four years old and upwards that have not won a steeplechase that are EBF eligibleWeights - 4-y-o 11st 6lbs 5-y-o and up 12st Mares allowed 7lbs