Verdict

Almost half of this field are course and distance winners including Beleaguerment, who had a neck to spare over Lady Sonia in January before just failing to concede a stone to the winner a couple of weeks ago. The latter didn't perform as well on a return visit while Dark Magic has been struggling to make an impact after going up 6lb for his victory here in December. Silk Cravat is on a long losing run but has dropped to a winnable mark though a chance is taken on the much less exposed HELEN DE POURTALES. She showed a bit of potential in backend maidens before reappearing earlier this month when failing to obtain a clear run. Kevin Manning takes over from an apprentice and he can steer her to an opening victory. Gormanston belied his 100/1 SP when leading for much of the way in a mile maiden last time and should show further improvement.

Formwatch

Beleaguerment (IRE) 15-2 (9-13) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden to press leaders 2f out, disputed over 1f out, headed last 150 yards, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Trueba (9-2) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Mar.

Silk Cravat 6-1 (10-0) Mid-division, pushed along 2f out, 9th and ridden on outer 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 5th close home, 5th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Pegasus Bridge (8-8) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Feb.

Caesar's Comet (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Towards rear, some headway under 2f out and 7th 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest at finish, 6th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Lightning Charlie (9-12) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Jan.

Amazing One 14-1 (9-7) Mid-division on outer, pushed along early straight, ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra, 12th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Lightning Charlie (10-1) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Mar.

Dark Magic 7-2fav (9-5) Held up in rear, travelled well and not clear run under 2f out, soon switched right, switched left and mid-division 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong to go 4th close home, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Poet's Pride (9-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Feb.

Gormanston (IRE) 100-1 (9-7) Led, ran freely, headed 1 1/2f out, soon ridden and no impression on winner 1f out, no extra in 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 14, 5 1/2l behind Plum Perfect (9-2) at Dundalk 1m mdn pol in Mar.

Zathura (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Mid-division on outer, ridden and no impression 2f out, soon no extra, eased final 100 yards, 12th of 14, 14 3/4l behind Bellick (9-13) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Jan.

Pulsating (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Towards rear, rear of mid-division halfway. pushed along and some headway under 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Kinch (9-8) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Mar.

Helen De Pourtales (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to challenge and edged right 1 1/2f out, disputed inside final furlong, just held close home, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Mythologic (10-2) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Mar.

Lady Sonia (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) Broke well, tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway to challenge 2f out, ridden over 1f out and no extra final 150 yards, 9th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Pegasus Bridge (8-8) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Feb.

All The Mollies (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression under 2f out, no extra, 12th of 13, 11 1/4l behind Able Jack (9-13) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Dec.

La Novia (IRE) 18-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden 2f out and no impression when short of room over 1f out, no extra, 11th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Lightning Charlie (9-12) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Jan.

Minor Melody (IRE) 100-1 (9-1) Always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along and no impression 2f out, no extra, 12th of 13, 13 1/4l behind Benedict Roezl (9-6) at Dundalk 6f mdn pol in Oct.

Neyland 33-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, challenged 2f out, ridden and no impression in 6th when slightly hampered 1f out, no extra, 8th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Poet's Pride (9-13) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Feb.

Santorini Sun (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden and no impression over 2f out, soon no extra, 10th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Adnap (10-0) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Feb.

Mulzamm (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Held up early, mid-division halfway, ridden towards inner 1 1/2f out, kept on well closing stages of final furlong, 4th of 14, 1 1/4l behind Trueba (9-2) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Mar.

Highway To Heaven (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Keen, prominent, soon led, slight mistake 3rd, joined approaching 6th, fell 7th, at Navan 2m mdn hvy in Mar.