1.55 2m. 179yds. 25 Declared. McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £75,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €42,202.00 2nd - €15,900.00 3rd - €7,958.00 4th - €3,975.00 5th - €1,995.00 6th - €998.00 7th - €495.00 8th - €255.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - FIFTY BALL is progressive and can win this thoroughly competitive handicap. FIFTY BALL was a dual French bumper winner and while his hurdles form was initially nothing special, he has progressed in handicaps recently and finished second in the Betfair Hurdle last month. He has raced just five times over hurdles, remains open to more improvement, will be fine on drying ground and has a nice racing weight. Edwardstone was third in the Betfair Hurdle and while more exposed, is a dependable type who is proven at this grade. Drop The Anchor beat Champagne Gold to win a big Leopardstown handicap 41 days ago and both have obvious claims. However Drop The Anchor is now more exposed to the handicapper and Champagne Gold, who was contesting his first handicap in that Leopardstown race, is open to more improvement and should progress more on this his fifth hurdles start. You Raised Me Up was third in a big Leopardstown handicap last month and having won twice since, should go well from his 130 rating. Ganapathi is an interesting handicap debutante for Willie Mullins. He was Grade 2 placed in January and while outclassed in Grade 1 company last month, could get involved from his 140 rating today, albeit the lack of big-field experience won't help. Free-going Third Time Lucki was second in a Grade 2 over CD in November and needs to settle in today's big race field. %0A