5.40 2m. 67yds. 7 Declared. Powerstown Park Beginners 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 - TOP SPEED was a debut point-to-point winner in 2021 and has useful recent form. He won in a first-time tongue-tie, which is now left off, at Down Royal and being in good form and proven over this distance and on a sound ground, should take beating with race conditions suiting, given he is rated 116 over hurdles. Desert Friend is similarly rated and while capable, is more exposed than the selection and was also well beaten on recent chase debut. Dual hurdle winner Bonarc ran well enough on Ballinrobe reappearance and while she receives plenty weight under her 5lb claimer, might bump into one or two too strong. The Priests Leap was capable in the past but blinkers and cheekpieces have failed to work on recent runs although it is somewhat encouraging connections are persevering. Takarengo, third in the 2020 English Cesarewitch, isn't a natural jumper and was well beaten at Kilbeggan.
A steeplechase for four years old and upwards that have not won a steeplechase and that at entry are rated 116 or less over hurdlesWeights - 4-y-o 10st 13lbs 5-y-o and up 11st 12lbs Mares allowed 7lbsRiders - Confined to Professional & Claiming Professional Riders who have not ridden more than 15 winners under any N.H. Rules from 1st May, 2022 to 29th April, 2023 inclusive. (Qualified Riders are excluded from riding in this race) Horses that do not have a published handicap hurdle rating but are eligible for a handicap hurdle rating may enter and run provided their hurdle rating is 116 or less at time of entry