1st - €5,175.00 2nd - €1,275.00 3rd - €600.00 4th - €375.00 Fine

Formscan By Eamonn Murphy - There's been plenty of chat about HIGH DESERT in his time, and though he hasn't justified the talk, the German-bred has a squeak now. Arthur Moore's horses are performing well at the minute and Gareth Malone looks good value for his 7Ib claim. High Desert is therefore getting 15Ibs from the likes of Champagne Agent and on official ratings he has the beating of that one. Henry de Bromhead said of Shannon Spirit lately in an Irish Field stable tour: "He had some good hurdle form last year and he could develop into an exciting novice chaser. He seems to go well on soft ground and he has won a bumper. He was unlucky not to win a hurdle race, but he ran well in defeat on several occasions. I'd be very hopeful that he'll do well over fences this season." Maybe it's significant so, that de Bromhead runs the Snurge gelding again over timber. Given the marker the Waterford handler has on current form, it'd have to be considered very significant were Shannon Spirit to attract a strong degree of market interest. Fire Belt turns out quickly after a Cork run on Sunday and he has definite place possibilities. Shershewill wouldn't need to show much progression from her Down Royal performance last time to make her a player in this.

A hurdle race for six yrs old and upwards, maidens at starting
Weights - 11st 12lb; Mares allowed 7lb
Allowances - Horses that have not won a *race allowed 8lb