5.00 1m. 7f. 101yds. 21 Declared. Naas Racecourse H'cap H'dle of €16,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €9,600.00 2nd - €3,200.00 3rd - €1,600.00 4th - €800.00 5th - €480.00 6th - €320.00
FormscanBy Alan Magee - CURIOUS TIMES gets the vote in a competitive handicap. The Shantou gelding has been lightly raced since beating Black Tears, winner of the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham last March, in a Down Royal maiden hurdle back in 2019. He’s shown promise in two recent outings including when only weakening close home into sixth behind The Very Man in a valuable 2m4f Navan handicap and can reverse places with runner-up Palace Rock over this shorter trip. Prengarde is a multiple winner of cross country chases at Compiegne in France and it will be interesting to see how strong he is in the market for his Irish debut. Cosa Ban ran well on her first start for Shark Hanlon after a 14 months absence at Punchestown, while The Gradual Slope and Stormy Judge (rated 139 over fences) are others to consider.
An extended handicap hurdle for four years old and upwards (130 = 11st 12lbs)Penalties - Winner of a hurdle race after calculation of the handicap shall carry 7lb extra for each hurdle race won.