1st - €15,275.00 2nd - €4,700.00 3rd - €2,350.00 4th - €940.00 Fine and cold

FormscanBy Alan Magee - GRAND JESTURE has just the four runs over fences so far and there could well be mileage in his current rating of 132. The Gold Well gelding made all to take a beginners event over a similar trip at Fairyhouse last term, and went on to make the frame in Graded handicaps at Navan and Punchestown. The de Bromhead team have been in good form this season, and the lack of a recent run is not a great concern. Like a number of these, the selection is also entered in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, and Colin Bowe also has that valuable three-mile event in mind for Kashline should he go well here. There is every reason to believe he will as the eight-year-old has won twice at this venue including a course and distance success last month. Top-weight Foxrock is sure to improve from a recent outing over hurdles at Navan, and could also develop into a leading Paddy Power contender. He progressed well over fences last term and went off favourite for the four-miler at the Cheltenham Festival. Folsom Blue and Portrait King are both former winners of the Grand National Trial (3m4f) at this venue, and as such will certainly not lack for stamina.

An extended handicap steeplechase for four yrs old and upwards (140 = 11st 10lb)
Penalties - Winner of a steeplechase after calculation of the handicap to carry 4lb extra for each such steeplechase won. Any horse rated above 140 shall initially be treated as having that rating and the highest weight allotted shall be 11st 10lb. Subsequently, the excess over 140 in any rating shall be added to the weight allotted to that horse. (For the purpose of this note, any four year old rated above 140 shall have the applicable weight for age allowance then prevailing deducted from the horse's rating prior to the original calculation of the handicap)