1st - €6,501.00 2nd - €2,200.00 3rd - €1,100.00 4th - €550.00 5th - €330.00 6th - €220.00 mainly dry

FormscanBy Tom Weekes - MONKFISH missed his engagement at yesterday's abandoned fixture but connections have found another nice opportunity for a maiden hurdle win. He was bought for GBP235,000 following his point-to-point success for Cormac Doyle at Stowlin in April 2018 and while he didn't race next until finishing a good second at the Punchestown festival last May, connections might possibly have been frustrated by last season's dry winter and resulting hard ground. That may have contributed to him racing just once but he has the size to make a useful hurdler, already has previous jumping experience in public and receives weight from the two previous winners. Diol Ker has proven hurdles form to his name and while he was beaten in two maiden hurdles todate, nonetheless ran two solid races in defeat. He too may appreciate a return to more testing ground and while capable, is vulnerable to smart performers. Multifactorial won his bumper at Downpatrick last March and while he ran a solid race at the venue when second on hurdles debut last month, faces a tougher task here. Epson Du Houx ran with promise in a Navan bumper last March and looks capable of getting involved for the placings while the Willie Mullins second-string Dionysis also ran reasonably well on bumper debut but should struggle to win this. Escaria Ten is a previous point-to-point winner and while he ran well in a recent bumper at Tipperary, it is notable, and a little off-putting, connections have opted to go hurdling now instead of attempt another bumper. Hotel Du Nord's form has been a little in-and-out and might struggle to win this.

A hurdle for five years old and upwards, maidens at starting
Weights - 11st 12lbs ;Mares allowed 7lbs ;Allowance - Horses that have not won a race, ;including flat races, under any NH Rules or ;Rules of Racing ;Allowed 8lb ;