1st - €27,435.00 2nd - €9,300.00 3rd - €4,650.00 4th - €2,325.00 5th - €1,395.00 6th - €930.00 Fine

FormscanBy Gary Carson - A very competitive looking renewal of a race that often throws up a decent sort and IMPACT FACTOR gets the vote. He ran into a couple of smart sorts on his first two outings over hurdles, chasing home the exciting Getabird at Punchestown and then finishing runner-up to Paloma Blue at Leopardstown. He duly collected on his third outing over timber back at Punchestown and that form has worked out really well in the interim with the second, Eagle Lion, and the third, Gun Digger, both scoring since. Robbie Power recently gave the Flemensfirth gelding as his horse to follow and he looks capable of stepping up to this grade now. Gordon Elliott obviously has a strong hand with three runners and Hardline probably sets the standard after a good win in a Listed contest at Punchestown last time. Cartwright won well over course and distance when taking his maiden hurdle but this looks a tougher test now. Speak Easy is an interesting runner. Joseph O'Brien had admitted that it might have been asking a bit much to pitch him into Grade 1 company on just his second hurdles start here last month. He wasn't disgraced to finish fifth in a very strong race then and if he has learned a bit from that he could be a big player.%0A

A novice hurdle race for four yrs old and upwards
Weights - 4-y-o 10st 4lb; 5-y-o 11st 3lb; 6-y-o and up 11st 4lb; Mares allowed 7lb
Penalties - (handicaps excluded) Winner of three hurdle races or a Grade 3 hurdle race 3lb extra; Of two Grade 3 hurdle races or a Grade 2 hurdle race 6lb extra; Of a Grade 1 hurdle race 8lb extra