1st - €21,900.00 2nd - €7,300.00 3rd - €3,650.00 4th - €1,825.00 5th - €1,095.00 6th - €730.00

FormscanBy Alan Magee - MINELLA CROONER has always been held in high regard by connections and the point-to-point winner is an exciting recruit to fences. He beat all bar Minella Cocooner in the 2m6f Grade 1 novice hurdle at Leopardstown last season and ran too bad to be true on his only subsequent start here at the Festival meeting. Thedevilscoachman is the pick of these over hurdles having won the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan last term. He reverted back to fences to score at Galway last month but hasn’t totally convinced yet with his jumping over the bigger obstacles. Noel Meade also saddles Idas Boy who made a winning start over fences at Cork last month and went close subsequently at the same venue in a Grade 3 behind El Barra with Panda Boy well behind in fourth.

A novice steeplechase for five years old and upwards
Weights - 11st 3lbs Mares allowed 7lbs
Penalties - Penalties (handicaps excluded) - Winner of three steeplechases or a Grade 3 steeplechase 3lb extra Of two Grade 3 steeplechases or a Grade 2 steeplechase 5lb extra Of a Grade 1 steeplechase 9lb extra