1st - €11,040.00 2nd - €2,720.00 3rd - €1,280.00 4th - €800.00 Overcast

FormscanBy Gary Carson - A tricky looking contest and last year's winner and runner-up return to do battle. Quiscover Fontaine makes his seasonal reappearance and it's interesting to see that Tony McCoy is booked for the ride. He hasn't run since last season's Grand National and although the yard's runners rarely lack fitness wise the horse that he beat last year is just preferred. PIRES comes into this in great form having won a couple over fences. He's a tricky customer but his confidence will be high and conditions looks to suit him perfectly here as it's for horses rated on or below his mark of 123. Willie Mullins, who saddles Quiscover Fontaine, also looks to have an interesting contender in Supreme Carolina. She beat a good sort in Seefood when taking her maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan last May and although slightly disappointing back there afterwards she has ability and could get involved here. Dont Tell Pa's winning run came to an end at Thurles and he looks to face classier opposition now while Hit The Headlines showed some decent form in England but is maybe best watched on his first start here.

A hurdle race for four yrs old and upwards that, at entry, are rated 123 or less
Weights - 4-y-o 10st 13lb; 5-y-o and up 11st 2lb; Mares allowed 7b
Penalties - (Handicaps excluded) to count from 1st January, 2012) Winner of a hurdle race 4lb extra; Of two hurdle races or hurdle races singly or collectively value E20,000 7lb extra; Of three hurdle races or hurdle races singly or collectively value E25,000 10lb extra;