2.20 3m. 201yds. 15 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 - Ground conditions are not ideal for IT CAME TO PASS but might win on his way to a repeat bid in the Cheltenham Foxhunters. IT CAME TO PASS is clearly high class on his day and while beaten 21L by Stand Up And Fight in November, he reportedly needed that run and with Cheltenham now just three weeks away, an improved performance can be expected. Stand Up And Fight is himself a capable type but was beaten 19L by Billaway at Down Royal in December and would be vulnerable to any smart performers today. Winged Leader finished in front of Stand Up And Fight in that Down Royal race but he too was well beaten in a hot hunters at Naas last month and while heavy ground will play to his strengths, he too might find one or two too good. Jury Duty, winner of the 2018 American National Hurdle, returned to point-to-pointing in October and having chased home Winged Leader then, is interesting today as he makes his hunter chase and could well get involved. Templebredin was a dour winner of a Clonmel hunters on his latest start but faces tougher opposition today. On The Sod was well enough held in that hot Naas race last month and had previously shown smart point-to-point form while Some Man has looked exciting on occasions but has also had his problems and was well held at Down Royal in December.
A steeplechase for ] Certified Hunters five years old and upwards that have between 7th October, 2017 and 17th February, 2021 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, 2020 other than Certified Hunters Steeplechases or Farmers RacesWeights - 5-y-o 11st 2lbs 6-y-o and up 11st 9lbs Mares allowed 7lbsPenalties - (to count from 1st January, 2018) Winner of a steeplechase 4lb extra Of two steeplechases 7lb extraRiders - Qualified Riders under I.N.H.S. Rules. ? A Hunters Certificate valid in accordance with Rule 78 for the 2020/2021 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 February or the horse is not qualified to start.