1st - €8,280.00 2nd - €2,040.00 3rd - €960.00 4th - €600.00 Partly cloudy

FormscanBy Donal Murphy - SHEAMUS should prove hard to beat here with Ruby Walsh in the saddle. The chestnut gelding won bumpers at Kilbeggan and Galway respectively before scoring on his hurdling debut over the course and distance last month. Mill Forge and Oscar Invitation were behind him on that occasion and they have both won since. Sandra Hughes, daughter of trainer Dessie, said after his most recent success: "we've always thought an awful lot of him and he just needed time". With this in mind it will be disappointing if he is beaten here. Cillian's Return appears his biggest danger. He has some very smart form in bumpers and he ran out an easy winner of his maiden hurdle at Tipperary in May. He was disappointing on his last start, again at Tipperary, but the ground may not have been in his favour on that occasion. Time For A Pint is a useful sort but he hasn't been seen since May and he will probably need the run. Speed Demon is also likely to need the run while dual point-to-point winner Annamatopoeia completes the line-up.

A novice hurdle race for four yrs old and upwards which are EBF eligible and have not won more than one hurdle race and which have not run under any Rules of Racing as a two or three yr old and have not won a steeplechase.
Weights - 4-y-o 11st; 5-y-o and up 11st 4lb; Mares allowed 7lb
Penalties - Winner of a hurdle race 6lb extra