2.55 2m. 7f. 208yds. 15 Declared. Paddy Power Games Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2 ) of £30,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €15,609.00 2nd - €7,176.00 3rd - €3,588.00 4th - €1,794.00 5th - €897.00 6th - €447.00
Formscan - A wide-open contest but it may not be beyond Irish raider BUDDY ONE to defy top-weight. The six-year-old displayed a liking for Cheltenham when a close third in last season's Martin Pipe at the Festival and has clearly progressed on the evidence of a super impressive victory over 2m6f at Galway last month. Trainer Paul Gilligan revealed afterwards that he expects his charge to kick on further and a 9lb rise may not be insurmountable with this longer trip likely to suit. The consistent Judicial Law wasn't far off over C&D last time out and looks sure to be in the mix once again, whilst positive market moves for David Pipe's recent French recruit Placenet - a multiple winner on soft ground - could be significant.