1st - €11,820.00 2nd - €4,000.00 3rd - €2,000.00 4th - €1,000.00 5th - €600.00 6th - €400.00 Overcast

FormscanBy Tom Weekes - Connections of CASTLEBROOK are being ambitious running him in open company but a chance is taken that he could cause an upset and win. An impressive point-to-point winner in February 2017, CASTLEBROOK's career in bumpers and hurdles was underwhelming but his recent transition to chasing at Wexford, racing in a first-time tongue-tie, was a joy to watch. He is a much better horse over fences and the Wexford form received a minor boost with runner-up Stones And Roses winning a 0-116 beginners chase last weekend. There were fences omitted form the Wexford race due to low-lying sun and CASTLEBROOK could upset more illustrious rivals here. Getabird, a Grade 2 winning hurdler, was unlucky not to win a Grade 1 novice chase at Limerick last Christmas (made a final fence mistake) and while he pulled up on his latest start at the Punchestown festival, that run was following a 125 days layoff and he is clearly better than that showing. He needs to return to his best today but has strong claims if doing so. Mengli Khan is a Grade 1 winning novice hurdler and while a talented horse, is also enigmatic. He clearly has his chance on his best form but his reappearance run at Down Royal was a dreadful effort. Mortal, out of Pomme Tiepy, is as no world-beater but was nonetheless Grade 1 placed last December. He failed to be competitive in two subsequent Grade 1s last season and could be vulnerable to one or two on reappearance today. Paloma Blue was fourth in the 2018 Supreme Novice Hurdle and while his chase career began well last term, he was well beaten at Cheltenham before a disappointing effort when reverting to hurdles at Punchestown, where he hung left throughout. %0A

A steeplechase for four years old and upwards that have not won more than two steeplechases
Weights - 4-y-o 10st 5lbs ;5-y-o and up 11st ;Mares allowed 7lbs ;Allowance - ;Horses that have not won a steeplechase ;before 29th April, 2018 allowed 5lb ;(No allowance to reduce a horse's weight below ;9st 10lb) ;HRI Directive 6 (ii) (b) is suspended for the ;purpose of this race ;
Penalties - Winner of a steeplechase 6lb extra Of two steeplechases 10Handicapper.