12.45 2m. 175yds. 11 Declared. Visit West Waterford M'dn H'dle of €10,500.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €6,300.00 2nd - €2,100.00 3rd - €1,050.00 4th - €525.00 5th - €315.00 6th - €210.00
FormscanBy Donal Murphy - CHURCHTOWN RUBY should be able to take this weak contest. She went down by just three-parts-of-a-length on her only previous try over flights at Limerick in November, with four subsequent winners in behind. She attempted to make all on her latest outing at Clonmel and eventually finished a disappointing sixth. Back over flights now and with Jack Foley taking 3lb off, she looks the one to beat. Tudor Manor is given second preference. He was second on his third start over hurdles at Thurles in November and has been competing on the level since. He returns to flights now and with Gary Noonan taking 7lb off, he can be expected to go close. Freddie Robdal isn't one of the leading lights at Knockeen, but should be able to make his presence felt in a race of this standard. Disappointingly beaten into third on his penultimate start when sent off favourite, he was since a wel-beaten sixth at Down Royal. A Listed winner on the level when trained by Aidan O’Brien, Western Australia warrants respect, while Elusive Gigalo is another for the shortlist.
A hurdle for five years old and upwards, maidens at startingWeights - 11st 12lbs Mares allowed 7lbs