11.35 2m. 5f. 40yds. 7 Declared. Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Beg S'chase of €13,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €7,800.00 2nd - €2,600.00 3rd - €1,300.00 4th - €650.00 5th - €390.00 6th - €260.00
FormscanBy Donal Murphy - MINELLA CROONER looks the one to beat, fitted with cheekpieces for the first time. Pitched in at the deep end on his racecourse debut over fences, he went down by just a head in Grade 2 company. That effort should really stand to him here, with I Am Maximus and Highland Charge both returning to action for the first time since March. The former is one of two Willie Mullins trained representatives in the line-up. Fourth in the Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival when trained by Nicky Henderson, the Authorized gelding is an interesting recruit to the ranks at Closutton. Highland Charge won his last two and takes a significant step-up in trip as he tackles fences for the first time. Largy Debut is given second preference. Like the selection, he too was successful on his sole point-to-point start. A solid third on his seasonal debut at Down Royal last month, he can build on that performance.
A steeplechase for four years old and upwards that have not won a steeplechaseWeights - 4-y-o 11st 4lbs 5-y-o and up 11st 12lbs Mares allowed 7lbs