1st - €7,978.50 2nd - €2,700.00 3rd - €1,350.00 4th - €675.00 5th - €405.00 6th - €270.00 Fine

FormscanBy Tom Weekes - ESCARIA TEN has a tough enough task here but might prove able to win stepping up in trip. A point-to-point winner on debut, he ran well in a two miles bumper at Tipperary in October and while he was then well held in third in a 2m4f maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in November, the form has worked out very well since. The runner-up won his own next start easily while the fourth, fifth and sixth placed horses behind ESCARIA TEN, beaten 72L, 47L and 3.25L precisely, have all won hurdles since, which clearly gives considerable weight to the form. Golden Spread, a 'refugee' from the Supreme Racing debacle, is a very interesting hurdles newcomer. He was a smart dual-bumper winner who finished last season by finishing eighth in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown. It is interesting, and potentially a little off-putting, to see him line up in this staying maiden hurdle first time over jumps although he is sure to be well schooled and the form of his April bumper win at Fairyhouse received a boost with runner-up Mt Leinster winning his maiden easily over Christmas. Minella Encore was a beaten favourite when finishing 1.5L ahead of Atlantic Shore when the pair were both well held at Punchestown latest while Deal With It had useful form last season but is absent for 343 days and is probably best watched on reappearance. Celine Soprano has shown useful form in bumpers and having point-to-point experience, could reach the placings under a useful 7lbs claiming amateur. Shanwalla has useful form to his name but was well held over Christmas.%0A

A hurdle for five years old and upwards, maidens at starting
Weights - 5-y-o 11st 8lbs ;6-y-o and up 11st 12lbs ;Mares allowed 7lbs ;