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the form of his maiden hurdle win at Limerick worked out well with the second, third, fourth and fifth placed horses winning since and in hindsight, running at Clonmel afterwards was too soon for him and he ran flat that day. We freshened him up and he had been working quite well recently and will be a nice, tough staying chaser in time and that's what we'll keep aiming him for. I'll see how he comes out of this before making a decision on Punchestown but we found he does need a break between runs and it is highly unlikely. Noel W O'Neill, trainer

B.J. Geraghty, rider of Spades Are Trumps trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount struggled from half way and was pulled up thereafter

A.W. Short, rider of La Bella Vida trained by Miss Elizabeth Doyle, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost its action and was pulled up thereafter

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that La Bella Vida trained by Miss Elizabeth Doyle was found to have a cut on the left fore

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Spades Are Trumps, trained by Gavin Cromwell, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be have pulled a right fore shoe but was other wise post race normal

B.J. Cooper, rider of Lareena (FR) trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got very tired.

An extended handicap hurdle for four yrs old and upwards rated 0-145
Penalties - Winner of a hurdle race or hurdle races after calculation of the handicap shall carry any penalty or penalties which may be allotted by the Handicapper. Alternative Handicap