1st - €9,856.00 2nd - €3,200.00 3rd - €1,600.00 4th - €800.00 5th - €400.00 Fine

Formscan By Tom Weekes - PRESS CONFERENCE beat a horse hailed as the next 'big thing' to win at Limerick over Christmas and while that claim has been debunked, PRESS CONFERENCE looks a horse with potential and might win this. PRESS CONFERENCE had taken a while to get things together but did win nicely at Limerick and should be able to cope with this step up in grade, racing from his notional 123 rating. Galvin is seeking a four-timer and is another promising type. He won two bumper and a Perth maiden hurdle last year and while he looks the type to continue to progress and has good ground in his favour, he gives away weight today and also lacks experience for his comeback run. Smoking Gun is chasing a hat-trick of wins and while he comes here fit and well, is 3lbs 'wrong' at the weights and possibly needs to improve again to win. Minella Times is a capable type but was beaten 20L from his rating at Leopardstown over Christmas while Whoshotthesheriff beat a maiden hurdle winner (finished second) and bumper winner (third) when winning at Ayr recently and while this is a step up in grade, cannot be totally ruled out.

A novice hurdle race for four yrs old and upwards which at entry are rated 123 or less over hurdles, also open to horses rated 124-135
Weights - 4-y-o 10st; 5-y-o 11st; 6-y-o and up 11st 2lb
Penalties - Performances before 15th January for every 1lb above the rating of 123 1lb extra; On or after 15th January for each hurdle race won 4lb extra; Horses that have not run three times over hurdles and/or do not have a published handicap hurdle rating may enter and run at the discretion of the handicapper provided their performances are rated 135 or less.