Verdict

Hurricane Fly is the only favourite to have won this in the past nine years. Some fine prospects arrive here including Sizing Rio, already a Grade 3 winner over timber at Navan and looking potentially top-notch. There's more to come from him but he'll need to improve against the likes of WAAHEB and Jezki with the former just handed the vote. Dermot Weld's charge has only been beaten once when a short-head runner-up in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown in May. He made a fine start over hurdles at Fairyhouse and has every chance of going to the top. That remark also applies to Jezki, already a winner at the highest level and still improving. He'll take all the beating once again but the remainder will all need to make progress against a trio of very bright prospects.

Formwatch

Jezki (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 4th, slow jump 2nd, closer in 3rd 3 out, ridden from 2 out, disputed lead before last, led early run-in, stayed on well under pressure, won at Fairyhouse 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft beating Champagne Fever (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.

Waaheb (USA) 8-13fav (11-4) Held up early, progress into 4th 4 out, 3rd on outer travelling well 2 out, led before last, pushed out and stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m hdl sft in Oct beating Silver Friend (11-10) by 7l, 7 ran.

Bright New Dawn (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Made all, challenged entering straight, ridden and strongly pressed before last, rider lost rein run-in, kept on well under pressure, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hdl sft beating Ned Buntline (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 19 ran.

Wingtips (FR) 1-4fav (11-9) Chased leaders, went moderate 2nd approaching 4 out, closed going well next, in front before 2 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well, easily, won at Navan 2m mdn hdl hvy beating Classic Event (11-9) by 11l, 10 ran.

Ally Cascade (IRE) 2-5fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th after slight mistake 4 out, improved into close 2nd and challenged from 2 out, ran on well from last to lead near finish, won at Thurles 2m 4yo mdn hdl in Nov beating Urano (11-7) by 1/2l, 18 ran.

Blacklough (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders racing keenly, 4th halfway, went 2nd 4 out and tried to challenge early straight, no chance with winner from before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Reine Angevine (11-2) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo nov hdl hvy in Nov.

Sizing Rio (IRE) 4-5fav (10-12) Disputed early, led after 3rd, asserted before 2 out, ridden before last, pressed run-in, kept on well, won at Navan 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) in Nov beating Ted Veale (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.

Rory O'Moore (IRE) 13-8 (11-9) Led, slow 1st, headed after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression when slight mistake last, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Too Scoops (11-9) at Punchestown 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) hvy.

Run With The Wind (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in last pair in steadily run race, headway approaching 2 out, outpaced in 6th before last, ridden and no impression run-in, 5th of 8, 5l behind Dodging Bullets (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov.