3.45 2m. 4f. 17 Declared. Anton O'Toole (Mares) 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 Mark Nunan - SMITHS GIRL travelled well for a long way last time at Punchestown before ultimately wilting in a fiercely-run contest over three miles. Previously she’d run well when fourth over this trip at the same venue and she has a chance of turning around the form with the winner, Klassy Kay, at the revised weight terms. Klassy Kay was winning for the second time in three starts since joining Willie Mullins and is clearly progressive, but she’s nearly two stone higher in the ratings now compared to the first of those victories and things will be getting harder for her. Amor Verdadero was a place in front of the selection last time out, will enjoy the drying ground and has a highly promising claimer aboard. Topweight Strange Notions ran a blinder in the big mares’ handicap hurdle at last year’s Dublin Racing Festival and would be a big player if returning to that sort of form.
An extended handicap hurdle for four years old and upwards mares only (116 = 11st 10lbs)Weights - Top weight in the original handicap and after the time of declaration shall not be less than 11st 10lbs and the minimum weight shall not be less than 9st 12lbsPenalties - Winner of a hurdle race after calculation of the handicap shall carry 5lb extra for each hurdle race won.