4.10 3m. 2f. 70yds. 19 Declared. St. James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase (Class 2 ) of £50,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €24,445.00 2nd - €12,220.00 3rd - €6,110.00 4th - €3,055.00 5th - €1,530.00 6th - €765.00
FormscanBy Tom Weekes - COUSIN PASCAL won the Foxhunters at Aintree in April and beat Bob And Co to win at Haydock last month. Despite his advancing years, he seems to be progressing and comes here fit and well for his first course start. Billaway has finished second in the last two renewals and while rusty on reappearance defeat at Thurles, did win next time at Naas (albeit the runner-up disappointed next time). He isn't any faster this year but should run another solid race. Bob And Co beat Billaway a nose at Punchestown last April but was beaten by twice since, and by the selection on reappearance at Haydock. Winged Leader put in a career best effort to beat Billaway at Thurles while Dubai Quest is improving and comes here in good form but faces a stiff test. Former winner It Came To Pass, now a 12 year old, was held when exiting in a January point-to-point but did win earlier that month.