4.15 3m. 136yds. 7 Declared. Thurles Racecourse Hunters S'chase of €10,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €6,000.00 2nd - €2,000.00 3rd - €1,000.00 4th - €500.00 5th - €300.00 6th - €200.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - Dual Cheltenham festival runner-up BILLAWAY reappears at a slightly later date this season and should prove good enough. A consistently smart hunter, he narrowly failed at Cheltenham in March and Punchestown in April and has previously beaten today's rivals Winged Leader three times and Stand Up And Fight twice, from three runs. Winged Leader was in contention when falling at the final fence in this race in 2021 and while he is race-fit, has plenty to find with the selection on previous meetings. Stand Up And Fight did beat the selection in November 2020 but has been well beaten by him twice since, was pulled up on his latest run and should struggle to win. Its All Guesswork and Poli Roi were both also pulled up at Down Royal over Christmas while Warriors Take was well held on his latest run. Vital Island is a five-time point-to-point winner but needs to improve to figure.
A steeplechase for ] Certified Hunters five years old and upwards that have between 6th October, 2018 and 17th January, 2022 been placed either first, second, third or fourth in a Steeplechase confined to Certified Hunters in Ireland or in a Point-To-Point Steeplechase in Ireland and that have not won a race under any N.H. Rules or Rules of Racing since 1st March, 2021 other than Certified Hunters Steeplechases or Farmers RacesWeights - 5-y-o 11st 1lbs 6-y-o and up 11st 9lbs Mares allowed 7lbsPenalties - (to count from 1st January, 2020) Winner of a steeplechase 4lb extra Of two steeplechases 7lb extraRiders - Qualified Riders under I.N.H.S. Rules. a? A Hunters Certificate valid in accordance with Rule 78 for the 2021/2022 season for each horse engaged must be registered at the Offices of The I.N.H.S Committee, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, not later than 17th January or the horse is not qualified to start.