Punchestown- R

The KFM Hunters Steeplechase for the Bishopscourt Cup of €15,000 (Generously sponsored by KFM) Of which the second will receive €3,000, the third €1,500, the fourth €750 and the fifth €375

A steeplechase for † Certified Hunters four yrs old and upwards the bona fide and unconditional property of farmers farming land in the Kildare Hunt District and in their possession since 1st January, 2019.
Sons and daughters of persons qualified to enter, working on their parents' farms and who have no other occupation, are eligible to enter horses, their bona fide property, in this race.
Exclusions - The winner of a race other than a race for which a Hunters Certificate is required or an I.N.H. Flat Race.
About two miles and four furlongs over the Bush Fence Course €105 to enter, €30 extra if declared to run

Weights: 4-y-o ....10st 10lb; 5-y-o - 11st 8lb 6-y-o and up - 11st 11lb Mares allowed - 7lb

Penalties - (to count from 1st January, 2017) Winner of a steeplechase to carry 5lb extra for each steeplechase won.

Riders - Qualified Riders under I.N.H.S.

Rules † A Hunters Certificate valid in accordance with Rule 78 for the 2018/2019 season for each horse engaged signed by a Master for one of the following Packs, Kildare Hunt, South County Dublin Harriers or Tara Harriers must be registered at the Office of the I.N.H.S. Committee, The Curragh, on or before April 26th, 2019 or the horse will not be qualified to start.
N.B. Immediately after the closing of entries a Committee of the Kildare Hunt will examine the entries as to their qualifications under these articles, after which no objection in this regard will be entertained.

The Bishopscourt Cup will be presented to the winning owner and KFM will also present trophies of no intrinsic value to the winning trainer and rider and €130 to the groom in charge of the best turned out horse in this race.
 

The Star Best For Racing Coverage Champion Hunters Steeplechase of €30,000 (Generously sponsored by The Star Newspaper) Of which the second will receive €6,000, the third €3,000, the fourth €1,500 and the fifth €750

A steeplechase for † Certified Hunters four yrs old and upwards that have between 26th September, 2015 and 28th April, 2019 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 which have not won a *race after 1st March, 2018 other than a Certified Hunters Steeplechase or a Farmers Race
About three miles and 120 yds €240 to enter, €60 extra if declared to run

Weights: 4-y-o - 10st 12lb; 5-y-o - 11st 10lb 6-y-o and up - 12st Mares allowed - 7lb

Riders - Qualified Riders under I.N.H.S. Rules † A Hunters Certificate valid in accordance with Rule 78 for the 2018/2019 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 April 26th, 2019, 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, 2018 are excluded. *Including races under any National Hunt Rules or Rules of Racing

The Star Newspaper will present a trophy of no intrinsic value to the winning owner, trainer and rider and €130 to the groom in charge of the best turned out horse in this race.
The winning owner will also receive a perpetual trophy presented by the family of the late Walter Tyrrell.

HRI Directive 10 (vi) is suspended for the purpose of this race.

Should it be necessary to reduce the number of declared runners to twenty five or to such a lesser number as may be required, elimination of the remaining runners will be at the discretion of the N.H. Handicapper.
The Handicapper's decision shall be final. (International performances will be taken into account and the latest date for assessment by the Handicapper will be 10 a.m. on Monday, 29th April, 2019)