1st - €15,000.00 2nd - €5,000.00 3rd - €2,500.00 4th - €1,250.00 5th - €750.00 6th - €500.00

FormscanBy Donal Murphy - Now rated 136 over fences after going down narrowly in the Thyestes, BETTER TIMES AHEAD will be aiming to exploit his much lower hurdles mark. He already took advantage of this discrepancy at Fairyhouse in November and looks capable of doing so again. In truth, this is a fiercely competitive affair and a case can be made for many others. An easy winner on his penultimate start, Billy Lee Swagger can be forgiven for his latest effort, after his reins snapped in the early stages. Second on recent outings at Leopardstown and Navan respectively, Hgranca De Thaix is sure to have plenty of supporters, while handicap debutant I'm Slippy, a stable companion of the selection, is another of definite interest.

An extended handicap hurdle for four years old and upwards (140 = 11st 12lbs)
Penalties - Winner of a hurdle race after calculation of the handicap shall carry 7lb extra for each hurdle race won.