1st - €98,875.00 2nd - €35,000.00 3rd - €17,500.00 4th - €8,750.00 5th - €5,250.00 6th - €2,625.00 7th - €2,625.00 8th - €2,625.00 Fine

FormscanBy Tom Weekes - MELON is tipped on the basis he is likely to improve from his reappearance run over course and distance in December and can overturn Apple's Jade, who competes over an inadequate trip. MELON's form can be very in-and-out but when on song, he is very smart. He disappointed in this race last year, when it was his seasonal reappearance, and then shaped much better later in the year, notably when finishing second in the English Champion Hurdle. He was well below his best over Christmas (he is much better than his 2L beating by Tombstone) but with that seasonal reappearance now under his belt, he can turn form with both Tombstone and Supasundae. Apple's Jade is the standout performer and is a top class mare, who once won a Grade 1 race by 41L. She is in terrific form recently and while she goes well on today's ground, it is a concern she drops back to two miles today, for the first time since November 2016. She has a tendency to jump right at times, which is another small negative in a fast run race today and were there another race over a longer trip this weekend, she wouldn't be lining up here. Supasundae is another very capable type and while no match for Apple's Jade over longer trips, he did win this race on soft ground last year and comes here with his chance having again shown a high level of ability to beat the selection 3.75L, albeit when race-fit, here over Christmas. Petit Mouchoir remains over hurdles for this, having done well over fences last term, but needs to do better than when beaten here over Christmas while Tombstone is likely to set a fierce pace but is unlikely to win. Things haven't gone right for Farclas since his Triumph Hurdle win but that was less than a year ago and while he probably won't win give his end-of-season form last term, connections will nonetheless be hoping for and encouraging display today.

A hurdle race for four yrs old and upwards
Weights - 4-y-o 10st 10lb; 5-y-o 11st 9lb; 6-y-o and up 11st 10lb; Mares allowed 7lb; Closing Date 9th January ;