1.30 2m. 5f. 9 Declared. Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £135,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €75,964.00 2nd - €28,620.00 3rd - €14,324.00 4th - €7,155.00 5th - €3,591.00 6th - €1,796.00 7th - €891.00 8th - €459.00
FormscanBy Alan Magee - SIR GERHARD takes something of a step into the unknown over this trip for the first time under rules but looks the class act. The point-to-point winner has top course form having beaten Kilcruit in the Champion Bumper last year and has looked the part in winning both hurdles starts at Leopardstown. He beat Three Stripe Life by a convincing six lengths in a Grade 1 last month and finishes strongly to suggest this trip shouldn’t be a problem. Journey With Me is an interesting rival and remains unbeaten. He beat Minella Crooner and Kilcruit in a hot Leopardstown maiden at Christmas, and a very slow early pace didn’t play to his strengths at Naas last time. Stage Star has enjoyed an unblemished season over hurdles winning the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury last time and, together with I Am Maximus, looks the pick of the home team.