1st - €23,062.50 2nd - €7,500.00 3rd - €3,750.00 4th - €1,875.00 5th - €937.50 Overcast

FormscanBy Tom Weekes - HARDLINE has made a good start to his chase career and can prove best here. He has shown smart form throughout his career thus far and is a Grade 2 winning novice hurdler who has also finished third twice at Grade 1 level. He won nicely on chase debut and then ran another solid race when second at Grade 2 level at Punchestown last month. Trip and ground are both in his favour and he has solid claims under Davy Russell. Stablemate Ben Dundee wasn't as good as the selection over hurdles but was nonetheless useful and won well over fences recently. He is capable of more progression and can get involved. Us And Them was similarly useful over hurdles and while he might need to improve to beat the selection, was a winner last time over fences and cannot be dismissed. Dr Mikey won over 2m4f at Gowran latest and drops back in trip today. He is another capable type but might also need to improve slightly to win. Or Jaune De Somoza is well held by the selection on a previous hurdles meeting and while he ran well latest, today is his toughest assignment.

A novice steeplechase for four yrs old and upwards which are EBF eligible
Weights - 4-y-o 10st 7lb; 5-y-o and up 11st; Mares allowed 7lb
Penalties - (handicaps excluded) Winner of two steeplechases 3lb extra; Of three steeplechases or a Grade 3 steeplechase 6lb extra; Of two Grade 3 steeplechases or a Grade 2 steeplechase 8lb extra; Of a Grade 1 steeplechase 10lb extra;