1st - €7,245.00 2nd - €1,785.00 3rd - €840.00 4th - €525.00 Overcast

Formscan By Alan Magee - Djakadam stayed on well when runner-up on his sole outing over hurdles in France last spring and was backed as if defeat was out of the equation when reappearing at Thurles last month for present connections. He looked set to score, but was far from impressive in doing so, until stumbling after the final hurdle and unseating Ruby Walsh. The opposition was very modest on that occasion and, with more on his plate here and the likelihood that he’ll again go off at cramped odds, the search for some each-way value against the favourite is a preferred option. Ibsen has twice beaten WELSH NAYBER in Leopardstown maidens but there are grounds for believing Brendan Duke’s charge can come out on top this time. The selection was the only one to put it up to the Mullins-trained Fatcatinthehat last month but he ultimately paid for that challenge, weakening in the closing stages and just losing out on second spot. Mannheim is another interesting contender having been placed on all three juvenile outings in good maiden company for Aidan O’Brien, while Courage was a useful maiden on the Flat for Sir Michael Stoute last year.

A hurdle race for four yrs old only, maidens at starting
Weights - 11st 7lb; Fillies allowed 7lb