Pat Smullen: There’s no two ways about it, prize money will attract the big runners. The prize money on offer is very good and that’s why the foreign runners are coming over to take part.

David O’Meara: I believe that the Irish Champions Weekend prize money is excellent. I think organizers have got it right and as a result I am sending over a strong team this weekend.

Mick Kinane: I think the prize money on offer is fantastic and is key to attracting everybody to come and there’s an awful lot on offer throughout the two days. It’s fantastic really.

Johnny Murtagh: That will attract plenty of runners alright. Not only that, just have a look through some of the handicaps – there’s €150,000 handicaps on offer. It’s huge prize money and that’s what is attracting the attention of so many people.

Brian Graham: I don’t believe that prize money levels have a huge impact on the quality of the field or the number of runners. Over the years many of our richest purses under both codes have been fought out by five or six runners. This weekend is not only about the racing careers of some fabulous thoroughbreds but more importantly their futures at stud. Whether a race is worth €100,000 less, has no impact on the future stud values or the value of the form.

Fiona Craig: It's a great sum, and a real, but speaking as a racing operation, it could always be more particularly when compared with comparable meetings internationally. However, they are brilliant purses, and ICW has already succeeded in encouraging the best to run.