THE open lightweight which will be staged at the Duhallow Kanturk fixture at Dromahane on December 28th features an interesting condition.

In addition to the standard regulations surrounding the eligibility of horses to run in open lightweights, this race excludes all horses who have won either a Grade 1, Grade 2 or Grade 3 race over hurdles or fences in any country.

The comprehensive success by the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Roi Du Mee in the open lightweight at Maralin in late October generated plenty of discussion.

Whether the horse who had won the Grade 1 jnwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal back in 2013 and finished second in that same contest on his final track outing, 12 months prior to his debut between the flags, should be eligible to run in open lightweights so soon after running in such high company, was a topic of discussion at point-to-points around the country.

However, it is not always easy pickings for racecourse performers.

At Borris last Sunday, the dual Grade 2 winner and 150-rated chaser Foxrock was defeated on his open debut, highlighting how older horses may not always transfer the ability they once showed on the track. Ted Walsh’s eight-year-old was only beaten by a length in the Grade 1 Lexus Chase 12 months ago.

But on Sunday he finished just five lengths in front of Free Of Charge, a one-time track winner who is rated 55lbs inferior to him on the track.

The Dromahane move to exclude graded track winners will prevent two of this season’s open winners from entering - Roi Du Mee and Buckers Bridge, whilst the likes of Foxrock, Cross Appeal and On His Own are others horses with hunter certificates who are barred from competing in this race. It once again brings open lightweight eligibility back into the spotlight.