1st - €8,865.00 2nd - €3,000.00 3rd - €1,500.00 4th - €750.00 5th - €450.00 6th - €300.00 Overcast, threat of showers

FormscanBy Tom Weekes - Irish Gold Cup winner EDWULF can get back to winning ways here as he bids to turn around placing at Down Royal on St Stephen's Day. A high class horse at his best, his form has been quite in-and-out over the years but he retains plenty of his old sparkle judged by his point-to-point win in October (when trained by Enda Bolger) and his Down Royal run in December. At Down Royal, he met trouble in-running before the second last and while beaten 4.5L, looks likely to improve from that effort and can turn form with winner Dylrow and runner-up Billaway. Both those horses were claimer ridden in Down Royal and while both are clearly capable types, Dylrow is now 7lbs worse off with EDWULF with Billaway, a capable and consistent hunter chaser but vulnerable to any smart hunters., 5lbs worse off. Val De Ferbet was a Graded winning chaser at his best and while not the force of old, wasn't beaten too far at Down Royal and can get involved today. Casey Jem makes his debut for Willie Mullins today and while pulled up in his last hunter chase appearance at Stratford in May, is better judged by his earlier wins (his Cork hunter chase win was quite taking) and he could play as part as a 6yo who can improve with age. Dual Foxhunters Chase winner Salsify won't be winning but has presumably been showing enthusiasm at home and will be a draw aged 15 for his fans.

A steeplechase for ? Certified Hunters five years old and upwards that have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a Certified Hunters Steeplechase in Ireland or Great Britain or first, second, third or fourth in a Point to Point Steeplechase in Ireland or Great Britain between 1st October, 2016 and 20th January, 2020 and that have not won a race under any N.H. Rules or Rules of Racing since 1st March, 2019 other than Certified Hunters Steeplechases or Farmers Races
Weights - 5-y-o 11st 6lbs ;6-y-o and up 12st ;Mares allowed 7lbs ;
Riders - Qualified Riders under I.N.H.S. Rules. ? A Hunters Certificate valid in accordance with Rule 78 for the 2019/2020 season for each horse engaged must be registered at the Office of the I.N.H.S. Committee, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, not later than 20th January or the horse is not qualified to start. In the case of horses trained in Great Britain, Hunters (Master of Hounds) Certificates must have been duly registered at the Racing Calendar Office, Wellingborough. The Stewards of the I.N.H.S. Committee have modified the Rules to permit horses for which Master of Hounds Certificates have been registered with the Jockey Club and which are eligible to run in Hunters Steeplechases in Great Britain to run in this race. However, horses with a Master of Hounds Certificate that have run in any race other than a Hunters' Steeplechase since 1st November, 2019 are excluded.