6.30 2m. 4f. 8 Declared. SuperValu Ladies Day Rated Novice H'dle of €16,500.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €9,900.00 2nd - €3,300.00 3rd - €1,650.00 4th - €825.00 5th - €495.00 6th - €330.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - DESERT FRIEND won in the manner of a nice horse in June and should relish today's extra distance. A stayer on the flat in the UK, he was reported to be suffering from 'heat stress' at Sedgefield in December but returned to form winning easily at Listowel and is open to further progression at this distance. Salvador Ziggy won his Listowel bumper last September and scored on Punchestown reappearance. He is suited by conditions but gives 6lb to the selection. Rockanrye was an unlucky loser at Kilbeggan (blundering at the last) and while she has obvious claims, the dual point-to-point winner would ideally prefer a longer distance. Ballybaun Star was an ordinary flat handicapper who has improved over hurdles and won well at Ballinrobe, with the well beaten third-placed horse winning subsequently. Granny Lowrie steps up in grade from her Kilbeggan win while Dovlator, who shapes like a stayer, won at Down Royal when the leader blundered badly at the second-last, and might find a few too strong.
A novice hurdle for four years old and upwards which at entry are rated 116 or less (also open to horses which at entry are rated 117-130)Weights - 4-y-o 10st 9lbs 5-y-o and up 11stPenalties - Performances before 29th June - for every 1lb above the rating of 116 1lb extra On or after 29th June - for each hurdle race won 7lb extra