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

FormscanBy Tom Weekes - MALA BEACH is tipped to bounce back to form and win here, having been pulled up quickly at halfway in the Irish Gold Cup recently. Today's rider then reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount 'found today's going too quick' and while the performance is clearly a concern today, it is at least a positive that he didn't receive a hard race and now drops back in class for this. He receives 8lbs from likely danger Bellshill and is also likely to get reasonably testing ground here. Bellshill has his first run since finishing third in last March's RSA Chase at Cheltenham but must give weight away. Form-wise, he can be a little hit-and-miss but was a high class novice hurdler and novice chaser last season and is likely to be primed for this comeback run. He is likely to better his 150 rating in time but on adjusted ratings, he comes out joint-fourth best today. He does have a Ryanair Chase entry at Cheltenham and is also likely to figure for the Irish or English Grand Nationals. A Genie In Abottle beat MALA BEACH 2.5L when the pair met at Galway last October but may struggle to uphold that form, with a 6lbs weight concession now. Lord Scoundrel is a useful sort on his day but ran dreadfully at Tramore in January and needs to recapture his old sparkle to figure today. Val De Ferbet is likely to be fresh from a mini-break but could find one or two too strong while Champagne Harmony has plenty on his plate on his comeback run.

A steeplechase for five yrs old and upwards
Weights - 5-y-o 10st 7lb; 6-y-o and up 11st; Mares allowed 7lb
Penalties - (handicaps excluded) to count from 1st August, 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;