1.30 2m. 77yds. 10 Declared. Horse & Jockey Beginners S'chase of €11,000.00 5-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 Michael Graham - SALDIER is taken to make a winning transition to fences. He's a former winner of the Galway Hurdle who has also landed a pair of Grade 1 victories. He has been lightly raced since his last success in a Grade 3 at Tipperary in October 2021. The nine-year-old gelding has been unplaced in his last three runs at the highest level and connections are sending him over fences. If he transfers his class to this discipline, there will be good prizes to be won. He is more than comfortable on drying ground. Solness won over hurdles in his native France last year. He weakened in a novice hurdle at Punchestown in November and now switches to fences. He looks to have more upside than most in this field. Battle Of Mirbat faced a hopeless task well behind a 1/6 favourite in Gowran Park, but it was canny placing for prize money. This is more like it for his second start over fences. Pats Choice finished fifth on chasing debut at Down Royal. He's back at the sort of trip he won at over hurdles and is in the mix. The Priests Leap has plenty of experience over fences, but prefers slower ground.
A steeplechase for five years old and upwards that have not won a steeplechaseWeights - 5-y-o 11st 10lbs 6-y-o and up 11st 12lbs Mares allowed 7lbs