4.10 2m. 3f. 200yds. 12 Declared. Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £120,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €67,524.00 2nd - €25,440.00 3rd - €12,732.00 4th - €6,360.00 5th - €3,192.00 6th - €1,596.00 7th - €792.00 8th - €408.00
FormscanBy Michael Graham - STORMY IRELAND fits the bill after her all the way victory in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle over a similar trip at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. She has been runner-up in this race before and knows her way around the festival. Willie Mullins has an incredible record in this race mostly down to the mighty Quevega, although he has also had three different winners since she last landed it in 2014. He also saddles Echoes In Rain who is certainly interesting up in trip. She has been extensively campaigned over two miles and won Grade One novice hurdles at Fairyhouse and Punchestown last year. She outperformed her 25/1 odds when third to Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion Hurdle. This Authorized mare is usually ridden patiently and could feature if taking to this trip. Mrs Milner, Burning Victory, Telmesomethinggirl, Heaven Help Us and Queens Brook give Ireland a very strong hand and they will all be eyeing prize money.