3.50 2m. 4f. 8 Declared. Rathbarry & Glenview Studs H'dle (Grade 2) of €60,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €36,000.00 2nd - €12,000.00 3rd - €6,000.00 4th - €3,000.00 5th - €1,800.00 6th - €1,200.00
FormscanBy Alan Magee - Darasso is a solid performer in this grade and it looks significant that Mark Walsh sides with another JP McManus-owed runner THEDEVILSCOACHMAN who successfully reverted to hurdles last time. The Noel Meade-trained gelding won twice as a novice last term including a Listed race at Punchestown and after a couple of outings this season over fences, got up close home to beat Ashdale Bob in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan. The form of that 2m5f event received a few boosts at Cheltenham when the third, Commander Of Fleet, won the Coral Cup while Ashdale Bob was third in that ultra-competitive handicap. Flame Bearer has progressed really well as a novice this year and overcame trouble in running to land a second Grade 2 here last time. It will be interesting to see how he copes with open company and an extra half-mile. Heaven Help Us would go close if reproducing her neck second to Royal Kahala at Leopardstown, while Whiskey Sour and Darver Star are others for the shortlist.
A hurdle for five years old and upwardsWeights - 11st 3lbs Mares allowed 7lbsPenalties - Penalties (handicaps excluded) - to count from 1st October, 2020 Winner of three hurdle races or a Grade 3 hurdle race 3lb extra Of two Grade 3 hurdles or a Grade 2 hurdle race 5lb extra Of a Grade 1 hurdle race 7lb extra