Verdict

The locally-trained Escaping Thejungle won a course and distance maiden on good ground in September before a good run at Dundalk the following month. She was beaten two lengths behind Charming Lady over the track and trip in June but the winner didn't make the expected progress and was well beaten in that later Dundalk event. SAM'S XPRESS has made great strides over the winter, completing a recent double at Dundalk and going up 25lb in the process. He's unproven on the going but still looks the one to beat. Thunderbear is probably better over an extra furlong but can't be dismissed along with the remaining pair, both winning two-year-olds.

Formwatch

Thunderbear (IRE) 40-1 (9-5) Tracked leader early, pushed along and lost place under 2f out, ridden and towards rear 1f out, no extra, last of 11, 12 1/4l behind Funny Money Honey (9-0) at Dundalk 5f lst stks (1) pol in Sep.

Escaping Thejungle (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Hampered leaving stalls and soon towards rear, ridden in 9th 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Wakai Umi (8-12) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Oct.

Polar Bear (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, improved to lead from halfway, pushed along and headed 2f out, soon no extra and weakened, 8th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Wave Machine (9-7) at Naas 6f hcp hvy in Nov.

Lovejoy (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Towards rear, ridden in 7th 2f out, no impression, 7th of 10, 12l behind Wakai Umi (8-12) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Oct.

Charming Lady (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Bumped leaving stalls and hampered, soon tracked leaders, checked after 1f, ridden in 4th 2f out, weakened, 9th of 10, 14 3/4l behind Wakai Umi (8-12) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Oct.

Sam's Xpress (IRE) 10-3fav (8-13) Soon led, travelled well 2f out, pushed along and edged right 1f out, drifted further right and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Mar beating Teddy Boy (8-13) by 3 3/4l, 12 ran.