3.50 2m. 4f. 8 Declared. Colm Quinn BMW Novice H'dle (Grade 2) of €35,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €21,000.00 2nd - €7,000.00 3rd - €3,500.00 4th - €1,750.00 5th - €1,050.00 6th - €700.00
FormscanBy Gary Carson - The decision to skip Cheltenham with GENTLEMANSGAME can reap rewards here. Connections are playing the long game with the grey and he is an exciting prospect having already been placed at Grade 1 level from just two runs over timber. He was a wide margin winner on his 'track' debut at Cork before chasing home Gaillard Du Mesnil at Leopardstown. That form looks solid with the winner going on to chase home the impressive Bob Olinger in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. Willie Mullins has a strong team here again with four runners. Paul Townend sides with Egality Mans, who was a cosy winner when taking his maiden at Naas in late February. Rambranlt'jac looked a nice sort when winning on Irish debut here last month and could be the dark horse in the field. Grand Paradis was a good winner down in Thurles last time, when claiming a Grade 3 contest, and is another that has to come into calculations.
A novice hurdle for four years old and upwardsWeights - 4-y-o 10st 10lbs 5-y-o and up 11st 7lbs Mares allowed 7lbsPenalties - Penalties (handicaps excluded) - Winner of three hurdle races or a Grade 3 hurdle race 3lb extra Of two Grade 3 hurdle races or of a Grade 2 hurdle race 5lb extra Of a Grade 1 hurdle race 7lb extra