1st - £70,338.00 2nd - £26,500.00 3rd - £13,262.00 4th - £6,625.00 5th - £3,325.00 6th - £1,662.00 7th - £825.00 8th - £425.00

Formscan By Donal Murphy - Champ and Battleoverdoyen are towards the head of the betting here, and it's easy to see why. Both are Grade 1 winners, with the latter unbeaten in four career starts. It'll come as no surprise if they are fighting out the finish up the run-in, but in search of value I'll side with CITY ISLAND. The son of Court Cave has done very little wrong to date, but just hasn't proven himself at the highest level yet. He showed a likeable attitude when successful on his penultimate start at Leopardstown, staying on well under pressure to get the better of Dallas Des Pictons (a leading contender for the Martin Pipe on Friday) by three lengths. The Martin Brassil trained selection since followed-up in convincing style at Naas last month, and that will have left him in prime condition for this race, which is sponsored by his owners, Sean and Bernardine Mulryan. Beakstown, who won a point-to-point for Andy Slattery, is another leading contender. He took a Grade 2 at Warwick on his most recent outing, and might be able to make a successful transition to the highest level now. It'll be interesting to see how the unbeaten Galvin fares, while Easy Game, Dunvegan and Sams Profile are other solid each-way contenders.

a hurdle race for novice four yrs old and upwards (Old Course)
Weights - 4-y-o 10st 13lb; 5-y-o and up 11st 7lb
Allowances - Fillies and mares allowed 7lb