1st - €14,750.00 2nd - €5,000.00 3rd - €2,500.00 4th - €1,250.00 5th - €750.00 6th - €500.00 Fine

FormscanBy Tom Weekes - SNUGSBOROUGH HALL might ideally prefer a sounder surface but is well treated on his return to hurdling today. He won a handicap hurdle from a mark of 96 in May 2017 and while his last hurdles outing in April 2018, he has since progressed very well over fences and was a good winner of a Grade B Chase at the Punchestown festival last May. His chase rating has now climbed to 143, which is now 28lbs above today's hurdles' mark. The lack of a recent outing is a concern but today's trip will suit fine. Morosini is a capable if frustrating type who comes here clearly fit and well. He was second in a similar handicap over course and distance in November and should again go well despite climbing a further 3lbs for the run. The Gatechecker, a quirky seven-times winner, won the Cork National here in November and is rated 13lbs lower over hurdles than fences. He won from a 118 rating at Thurles last February and while he has been beaten in three subsequent handicap hurdle outings and pulled up on his latest chase start, could run well today on a track he clears likes. Rocky's Silver progressed very well since his maiden hurdle win in November 2018 and having won his latest chase at Punchestown in November, now reverts to hurdles where he is rated 7lbs lower. Connections have reached for first-time cheek-pieces today and he should prove competitive under his 5lbs claimer. Guard Of Honour makes his debut for Willie Mullins today, having been bought by current owners for just 6,000gns in October 2018. His best form has been on a sound surface and he lacks a recent outing, which will count again him in this competitive field. Flaxen Flare, winner of the Fred Winter Hurdle seven years ago, was well held at Navan latest while Dont Kick Nor Bite is a capable and admirable mare but is without a run since October 2018, albeit she was a non-runner at Leopardstown two months later. Momus has failed to win in nine maiden hurdle starts and needs to do better in handicap company today than he did at Punchestown latest. Oh'herewego has a light weight and is consistent but might ideally prefer a slightly longer trip.

An extended handicap hurdle for four years old and upwards (140 = 11st 10lbs)
Penalties - Winner of a hurdle race after calculation of the handicap shall carry 5lb extra for each hurdle race won.