1st - €27,435.00 2nd - €9,300.00 3rd - €4,650.00 4th - €2,325.00 5th - €1,395.00 6th - €930.00 Overcast

Formscan By Tom Weekes - CHOSEN MATE was second in a Listed race at Punchestown recently and has sound claims of winning this Grade 2 contest. He was a surprise winner on hurdles debut in January before confirming that form with a solid runner-up finish at Punchestown, in a race where today's rival Prince D'Aubrelle was well held in fifth. He is a progressive sort and has trip and going in his favour. Stablemate Milan Native was well held on bumper debut over Christmas but showed much improved form to win snugly at Navan recently. This is obviously step up in grade from that maiden success but he is open to plenty more progression and too can get involved at the business end. Jetez is a vastly experienced second-season novice and while he has some good form to his name, was well held in a disappointing showing latest and looks vulnerable to smart types today. Court Maid was also a little disappointing on her latest run and might not ideally be suited to dropping to this trip while Hannon beat a previous winner easily at Musselburgh in January and while he faces a tougher task here, cannot be dismissed. Political Policy has won 11 career races, including two over hurdles, but might struggle to win here given he has been beaten from ratings in the 120s on his latest hurdle outings.

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