2.45 2m. 2f. 54yds. 7 Declared. Guinness Open Gate Brewery Novice Schase (Grade 3) of €40,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €24,000.00 2nd - €8,000.00 3rd - €4,000.00 4th - €2,000.00 5th - €1,200.00 6th - €800.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - SOLE PRETENDER is a Grade 3 winning hurdler who is unbeaten in two chases, ran well in the Grimes Hurdle and likes good ground. Capable and consistent, he was a little laboured in winning at Roscommon but nonetheless gave the runner-up 10lb and at Tipperary bumped into a smart, on-song mare. Ganapathi and Champagne Gold are closely matched on three previous hurdle meetings. Ganapathi has taken well to fences but faces a tougher task than when winning twice at Wexford while Champagne Gold beat a subsequent winner at Wexford and today receives 4lb from Ganapathi. Call Me Lyreen didn't exactly power clear from inferior rivals when winning at Wexford in June and faces a stiffer task, but won a Grade B handicap hurdle over two miles in February. Visionarian won at Wexford but has a bit to find on hurdles form while The Dara Man steps up from a Killarney handicap win. Connections of in-foal Mind Your Money will be hoping for a black-type placing.
A novice steeplechase for four years old and upwardsWeights - 4-y-o 10st 7lbs 5-y-o and up 11st 1lbs Mares allowed 7lbsPenalties - Winner of two steeplechases 4lb extra Of three steeplechases or of a Grade 3 steeplechase 7lb extra Of two Grade 3 steeplechases or of a Grade 2 steeplechase 9lb extra Of a Grade 1 steeplechase 11lb extra