2.05 2m. 119yds. 13 Declared. Daragh Fitzpatrick Bookmakers Hcap 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 Alan Magee - VERBAL SPARRING has filled the runner-up spot twice in handicaps this winter notably when staying on nicely behind Whiskeywealth over course and distance in February. The selection has been let down by his jumping on both outings since but given a clear round appears on a favourable mark. Red Striker has completed the hat-trick of winning on the Flat, a hurdle and a chase and comes here on the back of a promising third to Ernie From Nurney in a 25-runner handicap at this venue. Answering justified favouritism in a Thurles maiden last month and rates a threat along with Cheerful Chap who beat all bar Clonbury Bridge in a 20-runner 2m4f Cork handicap last month. Clarens has disappointed twice since a promising second at Navan, but the booking of Jack Kennedy is interesting.
An extended handicap hurdle for four years old and upwards (116 = 12st)Penalties - Winner of a hurdle race after calculation of the handicap shall carry 7lb extra for each hurdle race won.