1st - €6,210.00 2nd - €1,530.00 3rd - €720.00 4th - €450.00 Partly cloudy

FormscanBy Donal Murphy - This looks set to be a fascinating contest with THE TULLOW TANK and Mala Beach taking each other on. With respect to the other five runners it looks a match between the aforementioned duo who are rated 153 and 148 over hurdles. The selection, who will be making his debut for Dessie Hughes here, was beaten on his sole start 'between the flags', getting off the mark on his fourth career start in a bumper over the course. He then won his next three over flights, two of which were in Grade 1 contests, before finishing second to the mighty Vautour on his last outing in February. His owner Barry Connell said on Monday morning: "He's been ready to run for a couple of weeks. We've just been waiting for a bit of ease in the ground. They're calling it good to yielding, so if we're happy with it, the intention is to let him run and hopefully he'll take a bit of beating. Everyone has been happy with him at home and the plan is, if all goes well, he'll go back to Fairyhouse in three weeks for the Drinmore. He's had a clear run, we've had no hiccups with him and he's a proper Grade One horse. There is no reason why he shouldn't go and jump a fence, Adrian (Heskin) has schooled him a couple of times and everything has gone well. Adrian has ridden a couple of nice winners for us already, so hopefully things continue that way." Mala Beach was most impressive when winning the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran in January but he would probably prefer the ground softer here and so the selection, who is more ground versatile, is preferred.

A steeplechase for four yrs old and upwards that have not won a steeplechase
Weights - 4-y-o 10st 13lb; 5-y-o 11st 11lb; 6-y-o and up 11st 12lb; Mares allowed 7lb