4.50 4m. 1f. 11yds. 14 Declared. Mongey Communications Schase (La Touche) of €30,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €18,000.00 2nd - €6,000.00 3rd - €3,000.00 4th - €1,500.00 5th - €900.00 6th - €600.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - COKO BEACH was beaten 33 lengths in the Aintree National but had previously won over this course in February. Suited by soft ground and a dour stayer, he can put last month's experience to good use. A fifteen-year-old won this race in 2022 although last year's winner Vital Island - now aged 12, was pulled up behind the selection in that February race and should struggle to beat him. In-form Birchdale himself defeated Vital Island to win over this course last November but might also find the selection too strong. Stumptown is an in-form capable handicap chaser who stays very well but debuts over banks while The Bosses Oscar was placed in a Lingstown banks' race in November and needs to improve to win. Subset won at last year's festival but his best form is on good ground while Singing Banjo, winner of the 2021 renewal, is now 14 and his recent form is poor. Banks' debutante Bodhisattva was placed in the Ulster National and likes a stamina test while Enjoy D'allen's recent form is disappointing.
A steeplechase for five years old and upwards over a special Bank/Chase Course that at entry have run at least three times in steeplechases (including Point-To-Point steeplechases)Weights - 11st 7lbs Mares allowed 7lbsPenalties - (to count from 1st January, 2023) For each steeplechase won 5lb extraRiders - 1. Riders who hold a Licence under I.N.H.S. Rules 2. Riders who hold a Licence under National Hunt Rules to ride in Steeplechases issued by any Recognised Turf Authority. 3. Riders who hold a Category ''C'' Permit to ride under I.N.H.S. Rules 4. Riders who hold a Permit to ride in Steeplechases issued by any other Recognised Turf Authority. (All Riders riding in this race must have ridden in at least 20 races (including INH Flat Races and Point-To-Point Races) The IHRB have suspended Rule 78 to enable horses which run in this race (excluding the winner) to retain their Hunters Certificates for the remainder of the 2023/2024 Point-To-Point Season. The IHRB have also suspended the relevant parts of Rule 135 (iv) (c) and (v) for the purposes of this race. Not more than 16 runners will be permitted to run in this race. Upcoming Race Conditions Week Commencing Monday 29th April