1.25 2m. 8 Declared. Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice H'dle (Grade 1) of €85,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €51,000.00 2nd - €17,000.00 3rd - €8,500.00 4th - €4,250.00 5th - €2,550.00 6th - €1,700.00
FormscanBy Gary Carson - A cracking race and CHAMP KIELY gets the vote to maintain his perfect record since going under rules. The Ocovango gelding was very impressive first time over timber at Galway in the summer and looked an exciting prospect when stepping up to land a Grade 3 contest at Tipperary in early October. He beat 'Fred Winter' winner Brazil with ease that day and the runner-up has franked the form since with victory in another Grade 3 event. The unbeaten Marine Nationale faces an acid test here. He won easily despite running freely on his hurdling debut at Punchestown in mid-October and will need to settle better in this higher grade. He obviously has plenty of ability though. Irish Point is another who dives in at the deep end now after a cosy victory on his hurdling bow at Cork a fortnight ago. That looked a weak enough race and this is a big jump now but the Joshua Tree gelding was a Grade 1 bumper winner in France so obviously has a big engine.
A novice hurdle for four years old and upwardsWeights - 11st 12lbs Mares allowed 7lbs