Verdict

Tony Martin introduced a very smart prospect from France at Gowran a couple of weeks ago when UMPACT could hardly have made a more impressive start. He'll find this tougher but looks one to follow this season and is handed the vote. Ballynacree has to be a big threat as he landed a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse on only his third start in April and was an easy winner on his debut so the lack of a recent run shouldn't be a problem. Pageboy was running well during the summer before finishing third in a Naas Grade 3 so he should go well but Loch Ard looks the main threat as, though well beaten in two starts at Auteuil in the summer, he'd looked a nice prospect when completing a double previously.

Formwatch

Love Rory (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Prominent, 6th before 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 7th of 9, 12l behind Our Vinnie (11-0) at Cork 3m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Nov.

Umpact (FR) 5-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, headway to lead 2 out and asserted before last, drew clear run-in, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft beating Upazo (11-7) by 6l, 11 ran.

Ballynacree (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 5th 3 out, improved in 3rd 2 out, led before last, ridden and challenged last, kept on well under pressure run-in, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr beating Gorgeous Sixty (10-7) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.

Loch Ard (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) in a race won by Usual Suspects (10-7) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 3f 4yo hdl Grd 1 sft in Jun, 11 ran.

Pageboy (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd briefly approaching straight, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, no extra run-in and kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Jezki (10-13) at Naas 2m hdl Grade 3 (1) in Nov.

Courageous Cry (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Settled in mid-division, good headway into 4th early straight, smooth progress to lead last, driven out and kept on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m mdn hdl hvy in Nov beating Sarabad (11-9) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.