1st - €19,987.50 2nd - €6,500.00 3rd - €3,250.00 4th - €1,625.00 5th - €812.50 Overcast

FormscanBy Tom Weekes - SANDSEND ran with promise on Irish debut at Limerick over Christmas and might now benefit from a drop down to two miles today. He made a winning debut at Compiegne in his native France last March and while he was a beaten favourite on his debut for Willie Mullins at Limerick, was much too keen over a longer trip. The form of that race is reasonably strong and SANDSEND might show improvement dropping back to this trip. Duca De Thaix is a proven performer at this grade, having won a similar race at Limerick over Christmas. He had previously shown a good level of ability in his native France but the one concern today is he must give the selection 7lbs. Forge Meadow is a solid performer but might prove vulnerable to a smart performer today while On The Go Again returns from a break but possibly needs to maintain his excellent progression to win today. Dolciano Dici is absent since winning in France in April 2016 and having initially joined Sandra Hughes, has now switched to Willie Mullins but is possibly best watched on reappearance. Arcenfete is absent since winning at Autueil in June 2016 and could be vulnerable to race-fit rivals while Destin D'ajonc was well held at Limerick and has plenty to prove today. Tandem, a nine-time winner, returns from a long break and should struggle to win being so wrong at these weights.

A hurdle race for five yrs old and upwards that have not won a Grade 1 weight-for-age hurdle race since 1st May 2016
Weights - 5-y-o 10st 13lb; 6-y-o and up 11st 1lb; Mares allowed 7lb
Penalties - (handicaps excluded) to count from 1st July, 2016 Winner of two hurdle races 4lb extra; Of three hurdle races or of a Grade 3 hurdle race 7lb extra; Of two Grade 3 hurdle races or of a Grade 2 hurdle race 9lb extra