1st - €30,000.00 2nd - €10,000.00 3rd - €5,000.00 4th - €2,500.00 5th - €1,500.00 6th - €1,000.00

FormscanBy Gary Carson - DUKE DE SESSA has to give weight to his rivals here but is fancied to prove the class act. The Lope De Vega colt was impressive when last seen in the Eyrefield Stakes here in late October, swooping on the wide outside to land that Group 3 contest. Dermot Weld felt that the National Stakes may just have come too soon for him previously but he seemed to benefit from that experience. He had half a length to spare over Piz Badile here in October and that rival has to be given utmost respect. Donnacha O'Brien's charge did get a better run up the rail then and Duke De Sessa did well to chase him down in the closing stages. In saying that Piz Badile is open to further improvement on just his third career outing. Buckaroo is top rated with a mark of 107 and ran better than his finishing position suggests when sixth in Group 2 company here on Irish Champions Weekend. He missed the break then and was only beaten less than a length-and-a-half. The Fastnet Rock colt also finished strongly when fourth in Group 1 company at Saint Cloud on his final outing last season and could be a big player on his return with a bit better luck.

For three years old only
Weights - 9st 5lbs Fillies allowed 3lbs
Penalties - Winner of a Group 3 race 3lb extra Of a Group 2 or Group 1 race 5lb extra