1st - €26,550.00 2nd - €9,000.00 3rd - €4,500.00 4th - €2,250.00 5th - €1,350.00 6th - €900.00 Raining

FormscanBy Tom Weekes - AMERICAN TOM is something of an enigma but can win this on his first attempt at this trip, in a race won by Don Cossack and Sizing John in the past three renewals. AMERICAN TOM has shown solid ability on occasions and while he was well enough held on his latest start at Naas in November, that was an encouraging return to action following his disappointing run at the venue previously in January (when found to be coughing). He is probably better going left-handed, which is a negative today, but the step up to this trip could possibly bring about quite plenty improvement and he is also helped considerably today by receiving 8lbs from the top three runners. A Toi Phil is a solid campaigner and has won four times at Grade 2 level. He is well suited by this trip and testing ground but was well held by a smart performer at Tramore latest and, giving away weight, would be vulnerable to AMERICAN TOM if the selection produced a smart effort today. Woodland Opera was beaten 16L by the selection from level weights in a beginners chase in December 2016 and while well suited by this trip, might prefer a slightly sounder surface. He was well held in a Grade 1 race latest. Nambour was 12L behind A Toi Phil at Punchestown in 2016 and while he now receives 8lbs, he has been absent since then and is probably best watched today. Arctic Skipper was a surprise winner of a Grade 2 contest in November 2016 and while well held in a Grade 1 subsequently, is absent since then and is also probably best watched today.

A steeplechase for six yrs old and upwards
Weights - 11st; Mares allowed 7lb
Penalties - (handicaps excluded) to count from 1st July, 2016 Winner of two steeplechases 3lb extra; Of three steeplechases or a Grade 3 steeplechase 6lb extra; Of two Grade 3 steeplechases or a Grade 2 steeplechase 8lb extra; Of a Grade 1 steeplechase 10lb extra;