5.45 2m. 4f. 14 Declared. Junction H'cap H'dle 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 - Down Royal gamble BLACKSTAIR ROCCO climbs back up in grade, from a 22lbs higher mark. Raceday stewards noted explanations that 'dropping to an 80-95 rated race' from his Punchestown run was cause for improvement so reverting to this 0-123, will be interesting. New Ross is himself interesting on handicap hurdle debut, having won a big-field maiden at Punchestown in May and is proven over trip and on good ground. Charlie Siringo disappointed over CD in May but won his maiden at Downpatrick subsequently and had previously shown good handicap form, suggesting he will again prove competitive. Oneknightmoreihope is a consistent if frustrating type who should again run well under a light weight. An Fraoch Mor is able at this level but might ideally prefer an ease in the ground. Smitty Bacall wasn't beaten far over fences latest and had previously finished between Oneknightmoreihope and Tesseract over CD in May.
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.