3.20 2m. 7f. 162yds. 9 Declared. Class Grass H'cap H'dle of €11,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €6,600.00 2nd - €2,200.00 3rd - €1,100.00 4th - €550.00 5th - €330.00 6th - €220.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - Golan's half-brother WILLIAM OF WYKEHAM sauntered to victory in an unplaced maiden at Ballinrobe last month and might be able to maintain progression and win this stronger race. The Ballinrobe race was, by definition, a poor contest but it was also WILLIAM OF WYKEHAM's first attempt at a staying trip and he was one of the easiest winners of the year. The handicapper reacted by giving him a 14lbs rise but with the pedigree he has (he was initially trained by Michael Stoute), improvement is likely at these staying trips. Midlands National winner Freewheelin Dylan reverts to hurdles here from a 27lbs lower mark than fences. A dual point-to-point winner, all five of his wins have been over fences and while he is a better chaser than hurdler, he was third in a useful handicap at Clonmel in October and today's 7lbs claimer lessens his burden. Amaulino has a similar profile in that he was second in the Ulster National on his last start and is rated 19lbs lower over hurdles. His Ulster National run was a good effort but his latest hurdle runs were a little underwhelming and he also lacks a recent outing. It is seven years since Tiger Twenty Two won over six furlongs and is now a stayer who comes here with an obvious chance on recent form but whose rating has now climbed to 112. Top Of The Charts won four races last year and while he disappointed at Tipperary 15 days ago, that was his reappearance run and he might improve a little. Chasing Abbey is a previous course winner who has been running consistently well recently. Birdie Blitz was well held latest while Cahirdown Boy is absent wince winning in February and is now rated 11lbs higher.%0A
An extended handicap hurdle for four years old and upwards (116 = 11st 12lbs)Weights - Top weight in the original handicap and after the time of declaration shall not be less than 11st 12lbs and the minimum weight is 9st 12lbsPenalties - Winner of a hurdle race after calculation of the handicap shall carry 5lb extra for each hurdle race won.