1st - €9,240.00 2nd - €3,000.00 3rd - €1,500.00 4th - €750.00 5th - €375.00 Overcast

FormscanBy Tom Weekes - MOMUS has been frustrating to follow since his bumper win last May but has nonetheless shown a useful level of ability and might get off the mark over hurdles here. He has been racing on a sound surface in recent times but his bumper win was on soft and as a proven performer in slightly better maiden hurdles, might take beating today. Face The Facts has largely been a disappointment in two maiden hurdle runs thus far, given his lofty 104 rating on the flat, where he was also a Listed winner. He may possibly have been out of sorts on his latest run at Navan in January, when his trainer's horses hit a minor lull, and while he can do better than that run, still now needs to show some more improvement from his runner-up hurdles debut in December. Stablemate Defy De Mee makes his debut for new owners here and while he ran well at Fairyhouse in December, his overall form is a hit-and-miss and he needs to show more than he did when well beaten in a better maiden at Leopardstown over Christmas. Myth Buster, a half-brother to Kicking King, has also shown ability but needs to show improvement to win. Hotel Du Nord was also well held at Leopardstown over Christmas and while he had previously run well at Punchestown, might prove vulnerable to a few today. Espanito Bello was a good debut bumper winner in January 2018 but now returns from a long layoff on hurdles debut.

A hurdle race for five yrs old and upwards, maidens at starting
Weights - 11st 12lb; Mares allowed 7lb
Riders - Confined to Professional under I.N.H.S. Rules who have not lost the right to claim the allowance under Rule 52 (iii). Allowances (which are not cumulative, up to and including 6th March) who have not ridden the winners of 25 *races allowed 4lb Those who have not ridden the winners of 40 *races allowed 2lb No allowance to riders under Rule 52 (iii) may be claimed.