Seven of the last eight favourites have won this and the market should prove the best guide though it looks more open than in previous years. ROYAL REVEILLE will have no problems with the trip as he scored between the flags at Glenbane last October. His two runs over timber have seen him staying on over two miles so this should prove ideal in the likely testing conditions. He holds Indubitably on his latest run but Couleur De La Loi should prove a threat as he has run as though a longer trip would suit on his last two starts. Luddsdenene has been going well enough to consider and would have finished much closer at Cork on Sunday but for blundering at the last while Eight Is My Number, a bumper winner at Navan early last month, made a fair hurdling debut behind Gagewell Flyer on the same track two weeks later.
Romantic Lead 11-2 (11-7) Held up in moderate 6th, ridden and no impression from 4f out, 5th of 7, 40l behind Mississippi River (11-7) at Cork 2m N H flat sft in Nov.
Eight Is My Number 4-1 (11-9) Chased leader, closer in 4th halfway, 2nd and challenged briefly 3 out, soon no impression on winner, kept on one pace, 3rd of 17, 13l behind Gagewell Flyer (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Another Palm (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, 9th halfway, ridden 3 out, no extra before 2 out, kept on one pace, 9th of 20, 17l behind Saville Row (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn hdl in Nov.
Couleur De La Loi (IRE) 7-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, keen early, close 2nd after 3 out, disputed lead entering straight, 2nd under pressure 2 out, no extra from last, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Carloswayback (11-8) at Limerick 2m cond mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Edmundo (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, no extra from 5f out, weakened, 17th of 20, well behind House Rules (11-3) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo nhf in Oct.
Imperial Breeze (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 3 out, no extra in 7th 2 out, kept on one pace, 7th of 20, 10l behind Monastrell (11-12) at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Indubitably 25-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden into 2nd after 3 out, no impression leader from before 2 out, lost 2nd run-in, 4th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Talk About Miltown (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl hvy in Nov.
Kool Tool (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Soon trailing in rear, completely tailed off from 3 out, 13th of 15, well behind Mighty Whitey (11-4) at Sligo 2m 4yo mdn hdl gd in Jul.
Lord Rory (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, 5th and ridden early straight, no impression, moderate 4th and no extra from over 1f out, 4th of 8, 16l behind Sugar Bullet (11-9) at Naas 2m N H flat sft in Nov.
Luddsdenene (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up, progress into 7th 4 out, 4th 2 out, no impression when blundered last, one pace, 5th of 14, 20l behind Bishopsfurze (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl sft.
Mkenzy (IRE) Bach gelding out of Sara Black.
Ounaja (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Never a factor, 13th of 25, 48l behind Staying Article (11-12) at Naas 2m mdn hdl in Nov.
Royal Reveille (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear and keen, headway in 9th 4 out, 6th 3 out, ridden entering straight, no impression in 5th 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Talk About Miltown (11-1) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl hvy in Nov.
Tammys Hill (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Ww, steady prog final cct, 2l 2nd last, ko late, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Carlanstown (12-0) at Kirkistown 3m ire ptp sft in Nov.
Izind An Affair (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Never a factor, 13th of 22, 17l behind Burnswood (10-6) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 80-95 in Nov.
