Verdict

An excellent turnout for this novices' event. Joseph O'Brien saddles both BATTLE OF ACTIUM, who stepped up to this trip for the first time here last month and gained a comfortable victory from a subsequent winner, and Global Equity, who has been unfortunate to come up against some smart winners. Preference is just for the former though Clondaw Secret won a point and a Navan maiden hurdle and was in touch when making a bad mistake at the last at Limerick. Dual bumper winner On Eagles Wings beat what looked like a strong field, which included Debuchet, over the minimum at Naas where he looked certain to be suited by further while Legacy Thor wouldn't be out of this if on his best behaviour.

Formwatch

Battle Of Actium (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Prominent and disputed lead, not fluent 4th, led 6th, asserted after 3 out, 5 lengths clear when slight mistake last, kept on well, won at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec beating Fun Light (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.

Clondaw Secret (IRE) 10-3 (11-13) Held up, 3rd before 7th, closed after 3 out, improved to 2nd before 2 out, ridden before last where mistake, soon dropped to 3rd, weakened, 3rd of 5, 12 1/4l behind Diol Ker (11-13) at Limerick 2m 4f hvy in Dec.

On Eagles Wings (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) Disputed lead, headed at 3rd, improved to dispute lead entering straight, led travelling well approaching 2 out, ridden at last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Naas 2m mdn hvy in Jan beating Captain Kangaroo (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.

Legacy Thor (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Disputed, slight mistake at 1st, led after 1st, not fluent at 2nd, headed before 3rd where jumped right, jumped right at 4th, 3rd before 6th, weakened quickly after 2 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Millen To One (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Dec.

Debuchet (FR) 6-4fav (11-5) Waited with towards rear, 8th after 5th, pushed along and headway on outer from before straight, kept on same pace without threatening from before last, 5th of 10, 10 1/2l behind Wingin A Prayer (11-5) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hvy in Dec.

Feelgood Island (FR) 11-4 (11-10) Chased leaders in 3rd, closer 4 out and soon went 2nd, pushed along to challenge 2 out, led run-in, ridden and kept on well final 100 yards, won at Down Royal 2m 1f mdn sft in Dec beating Vintage Prosseco (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.

The Priests Leap (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Prominent, soon led, joined after 6th, soon headed, weakened straight, fell last, at Limerick 2m 2f hvy in Dec.

Global Equity (IRE) 6-5 (11-9) Led, joined 2nd and led from 4th, joined again 4 out, led next, pushed along entering straight, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression on winner run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Roseys Hollow (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hvy in Jan.

Capilano Bridge (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders early, rear of mid-division 3 out, ridden and some headway in 9th approaching last, kept on run-in, 6th of 20, 11 3/4l behind Dysart Diamond (11-6) at Leopardstown 2m hcp Yielding in Dec.

Baltimore Bucko 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, raced keenly, not fluent 3rd, 3rd halfway, went 2nd at 6th, on terms travelling well before 2 out, every chance when mistake last, headed and no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 8, 3l behind No Grey Area's (11-3) at Limerick 2m hvy in Dec.

The Miser (IRE) 200-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders in 5th, ridden entering straight, moderate 4th when stumbled on landing at last and almost unseated rider, kept on one pace, 5th of 17, 25 1/2l behind Hes A Hardy Bloke (12-0) at Punchestown 2m mdn hvy in Dec.

Patience Patience (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Prominent, led after 1st, slow jump and joined 3rd, headed 4 out, ridden and no impression in 5th before 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 20 1/2l behind Sea Ducor (11-4) at Gowran Park 2m hvy in Nov.

Copia Verborum (IRE) 100-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders early, mid-division 3 out, closer next, pushed along and no impression approaching last, kept on one pace, 7th of 19, 20 1/4l behind Get My Drift (11-9) at Leopardstown 2m mdn Yielding in Dec.

Cala Di Volpe (FR) 33-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mid-division halfway, pushed along and no extra after 3 out, weakened, pulled up before last, at Limerick 2m 6f hcp hvy in Mar.

Henry Africa (IRE) 200-1 (12-0) Led, joined 6th, headed after 4 out, soon ridden, mistake 3 out, weakened, 13th of 16, dist behind Free Thought (11-7) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hvy in Dec.