8.00 1m. 4f. 7 Declared. Murray Ambulance Apprentice M'dn of €12,500.00 3-y-o plus
1st - €7,500.00 2nd - €2,500.00 3rd - €1,250.00 4th - €625.00 5th - €375.00 6th - €250.00
FormscanBy Mark Nunan - COMFORT ZONE is hard to oppose after a good run in a stronger contest at Galway where he had a couple of these rivals in arrears. Twice runner-up over a mile last year, the Churchill gelding was well-fancied for his reappearance in the amateur riders’ maiden which is always a lively betting heat. He didn’t reward his supporters but got this trip well when not beaten far in fourth and the form was boosted by hurdling wins for the second and fifth later in the week at the festival. Mighty Mo Missouri was unfancied when only tenth in that same race but was less than four lengths behind the selection and is entitled to improve with that first run under his belt. Dermot Weld has had a couple of welcome winners in recent days and Monarchs Brae was a creditable fourth at the Curragh on his second start. He couldn’t build on that when only mid-division behind the selection at Galway and it’s hard to see him turning around that form.
For three years old and upwards, maidens at startingWeights - 3-y-o 9st 8lbs 4-y-o and up 10st 4lbs Fillies allowed 5lbsRiders - Apprentices who hold an Apprentice Licence under Rules of Racing issued by any recognised Turf Authority Allowances - (up to and including 11th August and which are not cumulative) Apprentices who have not ridden three *winners allowed..........7lb Apprentices who have not ridden twenty *winners allowed..........4lb Apprentices who have not ridden thirty *winners allowed..........2lb *Including races under any N.H. Rules