4.40 3m. 2f. 70yds. 24 Declared. St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase (Class 2 ) of £50,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €24,445.00 2nd - €12,220.00 3rd - €6,110.00 4th - €3,055.00 5th - €1,530.00 6th - €765.00
Formscan - ANGELS DAWN brings a high level of form to the table having landed the Kim Muir in 2023 before falling two out last year when arriving to challenge Gold Cup contender Inothewayurthinkin. A comfortable winner of a point-to-point in December, the daughter of Yeats may prefer softer ground but her class can see her through to a second Festival success. Runner-up last year as a short-priced favourite, Its On The Line has plenty of ground to make up with the reopposing Ryehill from their clash at Naas last month, but he has the services of Derek O'Connor and that's a big positive around here. Well backed in the lead up to this race, Willitgoahead looks to have been laid out for this having joined Gordon Elliott since impressing over 3m1f at Thurles in January. Of the British contingent, Music Drive is unbeaten in point-to-points since joining the Kelly Morgan stable and is one to consider, along with course winner Shearer, who is on a five-timer.