1st - €7,590.00 2nd - €1,870.00 3rd - €880.00 4th - €550.00 Raining

FormscanBy Eamonn Murphy - Some very interesting types on show here and UNCLE DANNY is the pick. The reason the Catcher In The Rye gelding gets the nod, has much to do with the jumping experience he’s already amassed. Any youngster that takes a 'point' at the County Waterford venue of Lismore, is always worth keeping an eye out for, and this fellow went on to land a bumper at Punchestown, at the Festival. John Queally's charge made a satisfactory hurdling bow when third in a huge field at Naas in early November. The winner on that occasion, Free Expression, subsequently scored in Grade 2 company, and remains unbeaten. The second then, On Impulse changed yards after, before running out a comfortable winner at Punchestown. Uncle Danny attracted market support at Naas, coming off a break – he's clearly a well-regarded sort – and going another couple of furlongs in trip now will surely play to his strengths. It's well-documented that Barry Connell targets his horses at this fixture. Velvet Maker definitely has the form to make his presence felt, and he could well be helped by the addition of a hood. Cheltenham Champion Bumper third, Joshua Lane, now runs in the colours of J P McManus for the first time, and if he's fancied on his hurdling bow he’d have to be feared. Black Zambezi and Rock On The Moor are two others that showed plenty of ability in bumpers and they could play a part. Others are not completely without hope, but they'll do well to do any more than gain a placing in the company.

A hurdle race for five yrs old and upwards, maidens at starting
Weights - 11st 12lb; Mares allowed 7lb;