1st - €7,375.00 2nd - €2,500.00 3rd - €1,250.00 4th - €625.00 5th - €375.00 6th - €250.00 Windy and raining

FormscanBy Tom Weekes - THE LONG MILE brings good recent form and can win. He failed to win in seven hurdle starts and was beaten out of sight on his three beginners chase runs but was the well supported winning favourite on handicap chase debut at Naas in December (beating Conright Boy) and subsequently ran another solid race when second at Fairyhouse last month. He has winning form at this trip, is a proven performer at this grade and comes here clearly fit and well. Conright Boy had been in fine fettle prior to a disappointing pulled up run at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day. He was reported to be clinically abnormal post-race following that run and while he clearly has strong claims on best form, comes here on a retrieval mission. Alfie's Choice is interesting in that he has a British hurdles' rating of 132 and now competes in his first Irish handicap chase from a mark of 116, with his rider claiming 5lbs. He was well held on his three chase starts todate (his initial one was in Britain) and while he should win from his rating, he would ideally prefer a longer trip than two miles and looks best watched today. Fivecardstud wasn't beaten far on handicap chase debut at Down Royal last month but might also prefer a longer trip being a dual point-to-point winner.

An extended handicap steeplechase for five years old and upwards that have not won a steeplechase before 5th May 2019, other than one hunters steeplechase within the previous two National Hunt seasons (116 = 11st 10lbs)
Weights - Top weight in the original handicap shall not be less than 11st 10lbs
Penalties - Winner of a steeplechase after calculation of the handicap shall carry 5lb extra for each steeplechase won.