1st - €7,392.00 2nd - €2,400.00 3rd - €1,200.00 4th - €600.00 5th - €300.00 Overcast, threat of rain

FormscanBy Tom Weekes - MATIN D'ANJOU might be able to defy top weight here having done well recently. He was a faller last time at Kilbeggan but had previously won nicely at Wexford (with a slipped saddle) and at Tramore in August. He may ideally prefer slightly longer than today's trip but he does go well on today's sound surface. Allee Bleue is interesting on his first start for Gordon Elliott since leaving Philip Hobbs. He won four times over hurdles in Britain and while he failed to win in six chase starts, did show useful enough ability. He too might prefer slightly further but a bigger concern could be his best form has been on testing ground. Thecraicisninety has been a largely disappointing horse but could well be something of a dark horse. He won his point to point debut easily on debut years ago in 2015 and while he has failed to build on that, he did win a maiden hurdle over this trip and on a sound surface in July and has solid claims here as fences may bring about improvement, from his 108 rating. Fintara disappointed over hurdles latest but prior to that has shown consistently good chase form and is another with her chance.

An extended handicap steeplechase for four yrs old and upwards that have not won a steeplechase before 1st February 2018, other than one hunters steeplechase within the previous two National Hunt seasons (116 = 11st 10lb)
Weights - Top weight in the original handicap; shall not be less than 11st 10lb
Penalties - Winner of a steeplechase after calculation of the handicap to carry 6lb extra for each such steeplechase won.