4.00 3m. 170yds. 5 Declared. Naas Farm Machinery Hunters S'chase of €14,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €8,400.00 2nd - €2,800.00 3rd - €1,400.00 4th - €700.00 5th - €420.00
FormscanBy Donal Murphy - BILLAWAY, fitted with a tongue-strap for the first time, should prove hard to beat as he bids to win this race for the fourth year in-a-row. A brilliant servant to connections, he was beaten on his return to action at Thurles last month but should come on plenty for that effort. Willie Mullins trains the selection and he is also responsible for Annamix. Third in the Topham at Aintree last year, he disappointed in two recent point-to-point starts when in the care of Aidan Fitzgerald. A three-time winner in his native France, Le Malin is given second preference. He got within a length-and-a-half of Winged Leader at Cragmore last month and a reproduction of that performance should see him go close. Grange Island won a weak contest at Clonmel and will need to improve if he is to feature here, while Dinny Lacey is likely to struggle.
A steeplechase for ] Certified Hunters five years old and upwards that have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a Certified Hunters Steeplechase in Ireland or Great Britain or first, second, third or fourth in a Point to Point Steeplechase in Ireland or Great Britain between 5th October, 2019 and 6th February, 2023 and that have not won a race under any N.H. Rules or Rules of Racing since 1st March, 2022 other than Certified Hunters Steeplechases or Farmers RacesWeights - 5-y-o 11st 8lbs 6-y-o and up 12st Mares allowed 7lbsRiders - Qualified Riders under I.N.H.S. Rules. a? A Hunters Certificate valid in accordance with Rule 78 for the 2022/2023 season for each horse engaged must be registered at the Office of the I.N.H.S. Committee, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, not later than 6th February or the horse is not qualified to start. In the case of horses trained in Great Britain, Hunters (Master of Hounds) Certificates must have been duly registered at the Racing Calendar Office, Wellingborough. The Stewards of the I.N.H.S. Committee have modified the Rules to permit horses for which Master of Hounds Certificates have been registered with the Jockey Club and which are eligible to run in Hunters Steeplechases in Great Britain to run in this race. However, horses with a Master of Hounds Certificate that have run in any race other than a Hunters' Steeplechase since 1st November, 2022 are excluded.