14 horses have been entered in the Hamilton Architects Hunters Chase at Down Royal on St Pat which is run over 2m 4f at Down Royal.
The €10,000 contest is restricted to certified hunters that are five years old and upwards that have not won more than one Steeplechase and that have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a certified hunters steeplechase in Ireland or in a point-to-point Steeplechase in Ireland between 1st October, 2016 and 11th March, 2020.
There are a number of interesting contenders amongst the line-up including 20-time points’ winner Longhouse Music. The Sam Curling-trained mare has won two out of her four starts between-the-flags this season and was last seen running under rules in a Cork Hunters Chase at Cork in April 2018 when coming fifth and seeks to break her maiden tag under rules here.
Duckphil has filled the runner-up spot in the last three of his four runs and most recently was his closest finished to the number one spot, when finishing just one-length behind Westy Fox at Farmacaffley in February. He could go one better in this contest if lined up.
The Caroline McCaldin-trained Samurai Cracker was unlucky to come to grief when falling at the last in the Naas Hunters Chase in January however ran a creditable race next time out when placing three-and-a-half lengths behind Mac’s Legend at Thurles at the end of February. The seven-year-old landed the hunter chase at Limerick during Christmas and bids to bounce back to form here.
Seven-year-old Some Man ran a big race when finishing just four-and-a-half lengths behind the well-regarded Aloneamongmillions in the Tetratema Cup at Gowran at the beginning of March. Since returning between the flags from a short spell under rules the gelding has enjoyed three successes and could regain the winning thread.
Winged Leader has been a consistent performer this season, finishing second to the aforementioned Samuraui Cracker on his seasonal debut in the Limerick hunter chase. The son of Winged Love landed his next two starts in the open races at Kirkistown and Farmacaffley with just two weeks apart each contest and brings some solid form to the table.
To see a full list of entries click here.
