5.40 2m. 7f. 135yds. 16 Declared. Elphin 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 - After a three month break and back on his favoured good ground with headgear reapplied, ROYAL AIDE was a snug winner at Kilbeggan and a 5lb rise looks fair. Denis Hogan’s stable enjoyed three winners at the Galway festival and the Galileo gelding can keep the ball rolling here. Rare Conor is a consistent type who would be deserving of a breakthrough victory and he again did little wrong when second to Loudest Whisper at Bellewstown. His mark keeps edging a little higher but he’s got an obvious chance for another in-form trainer. Diggin Deep, who found the ground a little bit on the slow side when two places behind Rare Conor last time, won on a sound surface at Clonmel in June and is another to consider along with unexposed Tramore maiden winner Miss Tempo. Topweight Chasing Abbey has a very good record at this venue and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he made the frame again.
An extended handicap hurdle for four years old and upwards rated 80-109Weights - Top weight in the original handicap and after the time of declaration shall not be less than 12st 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.