7.10 3m. 1f. 12 Declared. Kildare Hunt Club S'chase (Ladies Cup) of €15,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €9,000.00 2nd - €3,000.00 3rd - €1,500.00 4th - €750.00 5th - €450.00 6th - €300.00
FormscanBy John O'Riordan - Last years winner VITAL ISLAND can make it back-to-back wins in this contest. The eleven-year-old arrives here in excellent form having won his last two starts in point-to-points. With a handicap mark of 122 over regulation fences, he is arguably the best horse in this race, before even taking his prowess for the banks course into consideration. War Call didn't set the world alight during his time with Dan Skelton but has won twice between the flags since joining Sam Curling. This represents a more realistic assignment for the Martaline gelding. Jet Fighter disappointed on his debut for Peter Maher at this venue in February but redeemed himself somewhat when winning a point-to-point last time. His trainer is well able to prepare a horse for these banks races.
A steeplechase for ] Certified Hunters five years old and upwards that have between 5th October, 2019 and 19th April, 2023 in Ireland or Great Britain, been placed first, second, third or fourth, in a steeplechase confined to Certified Hunters or in a Point-to-Point Steeplechase and have not won more than two steeplechases confined to Certified Hunters (over a special Bank/Chase Course)Weights - 5-y-o 11st 5lbs 6-y-o and up 11st 7lbs Mares allowed 7lbsPenalties - For each steeplechase won 5lb extraRiders - Qualified Riders under I.N.H.S. Rules. Exclusions - Horses that have won a race under any N.H. Rules or Rules of Racing other than a Farmers Race or races confined to Certified Hunters. a? A Hunters Certificate valid in accordance with Rule 78 for the 2022/2023 season for each horse engaged must be registered at the Office of the I.N.H.S. Committee, The Curragh, Co. Kildare not later than 19th April, 2023, or the horse will not be qualified to start. In the case of horses from Great Britain, Hunters (Master of Hounds) Certificates must have been duly registered at the Racing Calendar Office, Wellingborough. The Stewards of the I.N.H.S. Committee have modified the Rules to permit horses for which Master of Hounds Certificates have been registered with the Jockey Club and which are eligible to run in Hunters' Steeplechases in Great Britain to run in this race. However, horses with a Master of Hounds Certificate that have run in any race other than a Hunters' Steeplechase since 1st November, 2022 are excluded