1st - €48,000.00 2nd - €16,000.00 3rd - €8,000.00 4th - €4,000.00 5th - €2,400.00 6th - €1,600.00

FormscanBy Gary Carson - BOB OLINGER looks to have bags of potential and can step up and hit the headlines here. The point-to-point recruit made a big impression when winning a Gowran bumper last March and went into the notebook as a horse to follow. He lost little in defeat when chasing home Champion Bumper winner Ferny Hollow on his hurdling debut and duly opened his account with the minimum of fuss at Navan last time. This two-and-a-half mile trip looks good for him and he could be a big player in the staying novice hurdle division this season. Blue Lord is well regarded in Closutton and it's a big vote of confidence that he is the sole Willie Mullins representative here. He beat a smart sort in Julies Stowaway on his hurdling debut at Punchestown in November and while he probably needs to step up on that bare form he is entitled to improve from the experience. Ashdale Bob probably has the best hurdles form in the book having won in Grade 2 company last time. He came into that race a bit below the radar but is a progressive gelding and has to be respected here after an impressive performance against a good field at Navan.

A novice hurdle for five years old and upwards
Weights - 5-y-o 11st 9lbs 6-y-o and up 11st 12lbs Mares allowed 7lbs