Verdict

It's more than 10 years since there was an Irish-trained winner of this juvenile Grade 1 but there is plenty of confidence behind Dessie Hughes' Our Conor, who is unbeaten in three starts and had yesterday's impressive Fred Winter winner Flaxen Flare well behind when winning at this level at Leopardstown last month. Diakali, who finished second, may struggle to reverse the form here and is closely matched with Stocktons Wing, who has also had a rear view of Our Conor this winter. The probable favourite has yet to be tested in an end-to-end gallop, however, and there are some promising novices lining up to take him on. Rolling Star won a Grade 2 on his UK debut here in January and could be anything while Far West has already won twice here, though has only raced on very soft ground so far. Vasco Du Ronceray is another French import expected to go well but it may be too soon to write off SWNYMOR. He certainly wasn't at his best when beaten by Somemothersdohavem and King of Dudes at Doncaster last time but was on the comeback trail after picking up an injury when falling in the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow in December when going clear. He's clearly talented and could be a big price now. The hard-pulling Kashmir Peak may struggle to last home here.

Formwatch

Our Conor (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th 3 out, headway next and travelled best to lead early straight, kept on well run-in, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Feb beating Diakali (11-0) by 5l, 7 ran.

Far West (FR) 8-13fav (11-1) Tracked leader, left in lead approaching 3rd, set steady pace until quickened 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Ascot 2m nov hdl (2) sft in Feb beating River Maigue (11-10) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.

Sametegal (FR) 6-4fav (10-11) Took keen hold, chased leader until 4 out, rallied to 2nd again approaching 2 out until last, 3rd and one pace flat, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Barizan (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.

Diakali (FR) 7-4fav (11-0) Led, slight mistake 5th, strongly pressed entering straight and soon headed, no impression on winner when not fluent last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Our Conor (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Feb.

Vasco Du Ronceray (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway approaching 4 out, went 2nd and not fluent 2 out, led between last 2, driven and pressed when hit last, narrowly headed final 150 yards, no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Irish Saint (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) gd in Feb.

Rolling Star (FR) 5-2 (11-7) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd approaching 2 out, poised to challenge when not fluent last, shaken up flat, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) hvy in Jan beating Irish Saint (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.

Chris Pea Green 7-1 (11-5) Took keen hold tracking leaders, challenged 3 out, disputing lead into straight, mistake and weakened 2 out, 6th of 7, 21l behind Irish Saint (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) gd in Feb.

Lac Fontana (FR) 9-4 (10-7) Took keen hold early, tracked leading pair, pushed along and not quicken approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Forgotten Voice (11-6) at Kempton 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Feb.

Swnymor (IRE) 1-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 4th, hit 1st, went 3rd before 3 out, ridden and kept on from last, went 2nd run-in until near finish, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Somemothersdohavem (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 4yo hdl (4) gd in Feb.

Hidden Justice (IRE) 4-5fav (11-5) In touch in 4th, went 3rd before 2 out, led 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Catterick 2m 4yo hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Deepsand (10-12) by 5l, 9 ran.

Somemothersdohavem 6-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, went 4th before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, chased leader last, led run-in, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m 4yo hdl (4) gd in Feb beating King of Dudes (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.

Kashmir Peak (IRE) 6-4 (11-8) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, stumbled and unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Sametegal (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo hdl (2) gs in Feb, 7 ran.

King of Dudes 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, ridden before 3 out, kept on from last, went 2nd towards finish, always well held by winner, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Somemothersdohavem (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 4yo hdl (4) gd in Feb.

Cape Explorer 6-1 (10-7) Chased leading pair, went 2nd between last two, ridden to lead flat, ran on, headed close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Runswick Royal (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.

Gassin Golf 3-1fav (10-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, hit 4th, led narrowly 3 out, joined last, hung right and stayed on flat, headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 14, nk behind Leo Luna (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo hdl (4) gs.

Masters Blazing 10-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, chased leaders before 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Warwick 2m 4yo hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Roc D'apsis (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.

Stocktons Wing (IRE) 5-4 (11-0) Raced in 3rd, 2nd straight, gained narrow advantage from last and stayed on best run-in to assert closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Feb beating Dogora (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.