Verdict

Brazos, a once-useful stayer on the Flat, looked fortunate to keep the race at Navan but would have found the 2m4f too short and this is more his trip. Minella Escape, a winning point-to-pointer, stayed on strongly to score over 2m5f at Tramore though the form hasn't worked out. Ragnar Lodbrok had little chance in a Naas Grade 1 last time but earlier placed efforts at Listed and Grade 3 level put him in the frame for this. ANGELS DAWN never looked likely to get to Torygraph over 2m7f at Thurles after an early mistake but stayed on strongly and can make full use of her allowance and land this. Miss Pernickety has been chasing and Shuil Luas is a hunter-chaser.

Formwatch

Brazos (USA) 11-2 (12-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress to lead after 4 out, joined next, led again before last, strongly pressed from last, edged right under hands and heels, bumped rival 50 yards out, just held on, won at Navan 2m 4f mdn hvy in Jan beating Folcano (12-0) by ns, 19 ran.

Minella Escape (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Chased leader early, disputed after 2nd, led before 5th, ridden to assert after 2 out, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Tramore 2m 5f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Gorki D'airy (11-3) by 7l, 7 ran.

Ragnar Lodbrok (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in touch in rear, pushed along from 4 out, ridden and trailing 3 out, no impression, left remote 5th at last, 5th of 7, dist behind Bob Olinger (11-12) at Naas 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.

Angels Dawn (IRE) 18-1 (10-9) Ran 4th, slow 1st, slight mistake 2nd and slow next, still close up when not fluent 2 out, pushed along and went 3rd approaching last, ridden and kept on run-in to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 4, 3 3/4l behind Torygraph (11-7) at Thurles 2m 7f Soft - Heavy in Jan.

Miss Pernickety (IRE) 80-1 (10-9) Waited with in rear, slightly slow 5th and pushed along briefly and at stages after, reminders after 7th, no danger 6 out, bad mistake 5 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Naas 3m 1f (1) hvy in Jan.

Shuil Luas (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear early, mid-division before halfway, ridden in moderate 5th after 3 out, stayed on into 3rd last, kept on run-in, no impression on leaders, 3rd of 14, 5 1/2l behind Templebredin (12-2) at Clonmel 2m 4f mdn hvy in Jan.