2.45 1m. 7f. 151yds. 17 Declared. Celebrating The 2020 ITBA Awards Hcp Hdl of €14,500.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €8,700.00 2nd - €2,900.00 3rd - €1,450.00 4th - €725.00 5th - €435.00 6th - €290.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - American trainer Keri Brion has a chance in this open looking handicap with import BALTIMORE BUCKO. BALTIMORE BUCKO has '2181' form-figures in America and having won on soft ground at Pine Mountain in November, coped well with heavy ground at Limerick over Christmas when finishing third. The runner-up in that Limerick race won next time out and with that experience under his belt and being just a 5yo, BALTIMORE BUCKO might be able to progress some more and win this. Aarons Day progressed well last term and while he was a CD winner last February, hasn't run since and is 9lbs higher today. Stamina Chope seems to be progressing nicely and has solid place claims while Capilano Bridge wasn't beaten too far at Leopardstown over Christmas and is also capable of getting involved. Shakeytry is 8lbs higher than when winning at Tramore latest and while today's race is tougher, has an obvious chance. Thermistocles appeared fairly exposed over hurdles prior to winning at Thurles in March and while he reverts to hurdles now from a 7lbs lower mark, today's trip is much too sharp. Bigz Belief is a 4yo and while he has been showing useful form in maidens, faces a tough task against older more experienced horses here. Majurca is an interesting runner, having been a capable chaser in his native France, but reappears after two years off today. He will benefit hugely from this hurdle reappearance and today's trip is also on the sharp side.
An extended handicap hurdle for four years old and upwards (123 = 11st 10lbs)Weights - Top weight in the original handicap and after the time of declaration shall not be less than 11st 10lbs and the minimum weight shall not be less than 9st 12lbsPenalties - Winner of a hurdle race after calculation of the handicap shall carry 5lb extra for each hurdle race won.