1st - €7,072.50 2nd - €2,300.00 3rd - €1,150.00 4th - €575.00 5th - €287.50 Fine

FormscanBy Michael Graham - This looks an ideal opportunity for BALL D'ARC to get a victory over fences. He reached a mark of 143 over hurdles and won at Grade Two level. He has since been a beaten favourite twice in his fledgling career over fences - runner-up to Three Stars in Listowel and unseating at the first in Fairyhouse. However, Three Stars franked that form when beating him into second again, this time in a Grade Three at Punchestown. This former point-to-point winner should be well up to delivering in this company. Archive was very heavily backed when finishing last of five in a beginners' chase at Galway. That race was over an extended two and a quarter miles and he was only headed at the last. There should be more to come from him but he was inferior to Ball D'arc over hurdles. Our Dougal fell six out when leading in that race at Listowel in which Ball D'arc finished second. Prior to that he had been runner-up in two novice chases (including when just failing by a head in Tramore) so should be in the hunt for prize money.

A steeplechase for four yrs old and upwards that have not won a steeplechase
Weights - 4-y-o 11st 3lb; 5-y-o and up 11st 12lb; Mares allowed 7lb;