1st - €24,375.00 2nd - €7,500.00 3rd - €3,750.00 4th - €1,500.00 Fine

FormscanBy Gary Carson - A tricky contest and UN BEAU MATIN may prove the pick. The four-year-old looks progressive and there was a lot to like about the way he won at Punchestown last month. He stays well and handles this ground so conditions are not a problem. He should again hold Owega Star, who was second to him last time, despite being 4lb worse off with that rival. The ground was blamed for Simenon's tame performance as he finished a moderate fourth in that race when sent off 1/3 favourite. He comes out best on official ratings here but the ground is going to be as testing if not worse today so it's hard to fancy him. Whatuthink benefitted from a great front-running ride when beating Voler La Vedette here last month and it may be dangerous to take that form too literally. Muirhead didn't look the force of old over hurdles at Thurles on his last start while Sailors Warn returns from a break and is maybe best watched as he doesn't look particularly well treated at the weights.

A hurdle race for four yrs old and upwards
Weights - 4-y-o 11st 1lb; 5-y-o and up 11st 5lb; Mares allowed 7lb
Penalties - (to count from 1st December, 2010) Winner of three hurdle races or a Grade 3 hurdle race 3lb extra; Of two Grade 3 hurdle races or a Grade 2 hurdle race 5lb extra; Of a Grade 1 hurdle race 7lb extra;