Verdict

Balinaboola Steel has struggled since completing a double in the autumn. The USA-trained French Light is an interesting entry though this is no easy task as Tucanae looked a nice prospect when landing a Fairyhouse maiden and should go well. Stand Off dropped down to the minimum trip to score here last month but GEVREY looked the likely winner when tackling 2m4f at Punchestown only to be run out of it from the last. The latter can come out on top here, though Coolbane Boy found 3m taxing his stamina at Cork and is better judged on a neck defeat over 2m4f at Listowel. It Could Be You landed a maiden over 2m here and didn't run badly in a Leopardstown handicap when stepped up in trip.

Formwatch

Balinaboola Steel (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Towards rear, some headway after 3 out and 5th entering straight, ridden and no impression after 2 out, no extra in 7th before last, weakened, 7th of 10, dist behind Frontal Assault (11-8) at Thurles 2m 7f sft in Dec.

It Could Be You (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Disputed, headed after 1st, led before 3rd, headed before 5th, 3rd after 5th, disputed 4 out, headed after 3 out, lost place and ridden after 2 out, rallied before last, kept on, 4th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Millen To One (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Dec.

French Light (FR) Evenscfav (10-12) Late closer, 5th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Anticipating (10-4) at Great Meadow 2m 1f hcp gd in Oct.

Samurai Cracker (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Led after 1st, headed before omitted 3 out, ridden and lost 2nd before hit 2 out, weakened between last 2, 4th of 5, 7l behind Portstorm (10-12) at Ayr 2m 5f (4) hvy in Dec.

Tucanae (IRE) 3-1fav (11-10) Mid-division, slipped up before first bend, at Limerick 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.

Gevrey (FR) 6-1 (11-3) Soon chased leaders, 6th after 5th, soon closed, prominent, from 4 out, gained narrow lead after 3 out, joined before 2 out, headed before last, one pace run-in, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Gabbys Cross (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4f hvy in Dec.

Coolbane Boy (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Waited with towards rear, soon 6th, headway and effort straight behind horses, switched left after 3 out, left 3rd and impeded last, kept on same pace, 4th at finish, 4th of 7, 7l behind Streets Of Doyen (11-6) at Cork 3m gd in Oct.

Majestic Maid (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, pushed along before straight, on terms before 2 out, soon headed, switched left approaching last and one pace, 4th of 6, 5l behind Hes A Hardy Bloke (11-12) at Cork 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.

Stand Off (IRE) 10-11fav (12-0) Chased leaders, close up 2nd, led next, slight mistake 4 out, joined entering straight, ridden and narrowly headed after 2 out, close up again last, led run-in, kept on well closing stages, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Dec beating Awesome Shirocco (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.

The Dabbler (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) In rear, slight mistake 6th, closer in 6th 3 out, soon ridden, moderate 5th 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 10 1/2l behind Bois De Clamart (12-0) at Tramore 2m 5f Yielding in Oct.