1st - €5,865.00 2nd - €1,445.00 3rd - €680.00 4th - €425.00 Overcast and breezy

FormscanBy Eamonn Murphy - DRACO is not easy to oppose here. Admittedly he's naught from eight but he's run many good races including when runner-up on his hurdling bow at the Galway Festival last time. All ground seems to come alike to the Hernando gelding and it'll be disappointing if this is not his day. I was half tempted to take on the selection with Old Storm but Draco does appear to be a much safer proposition. As a spectator at the point-to-point at Ballinaboola back in November, it was difficult not to be taken with Old Storm when he made all to score in the colours of the locally based Sutton Williams partnership. Since bought by the Mee family, the attractive Old Vic gelding ran with credit to be third in a bumper at the opening stage of the Galway Festival. Equipped with a hood, he disappointed a few days later at Ballybrit but he should hardly be judged too harshly on that. Now without the headgear Old Storm should show up well launched over hurdles. Unless some of the rest them come in for market support it's not easy to drum up much encouragement at this stage.

A hurdle race for four yrs old and upwards, maidens at starting
Weights - 4-y-o 11st 7lb; 5-y-o and up 11st 12lb; Mares allowed 7lb
Allowances - Horses that have not won a *race If 4-y-o allowed 5lb If 5-y-o and up allowed 8lb