Verdict

Pittoni has a fine strike-rate of 6-13 and should go close here under the top class Derek O'Connor. Charles Byrnes' charge hasn't been seen since completing a double in April but that shouldn't cause too much of a problem and he's probably still on the upgrade. His latest success over Galileo's Choice gives him the edge over the high-class hurdler Luska Lad who was also a long way behind him at Tipperary in April. Nina Carberry won this a year ago and can complete a double on board ELYAADI. John Queally's mare would probably prefer a longer trip but ran well enough behind Goldplated in a premier handicap at Leopardstown a fortnight ago to see off these rivals.

Formwatch

Pittoni (IRE) 11-8fav (9-4) Soon led, niggled along over 4f out, pressed and stayed on well under pressure straight, won at Tipperary 1m 6f stks sft in Apr beating Galileo's Choice (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.

Duroob 50-1 (11-4) Soon mid-division, 8th 4f out, no impression from 3f out, 9th of 13, 30l behind Zaralabad (11-12) at Bellewstown 1m 6f am stks (4yo+) hvy in Aug '09.

Foildubh (IRE) 15-8 (11-12) Made all, ridden and strongly pressed from before 2 out, stayed on under pressure from last, all out, won at Tramore 2m nh nov hdl in Dec beating Wee Giant (11-6) by 1/2l, 6 ran.

Luska Lad (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Always prominent, mainly 2nd, niggled along over 4f out, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 2f out, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Galileo's Choice (11-7) at Killarney 2m 1f am stks (4yo+) gd in Aug.

Total Excitement (IRE) 6-1fav (9-3) Mid-division, 11th halfway, headway into 5th 4f out, 2nd 3f out, led 2f out, ridden and kept on from over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, headed inside final 100 yards and no extra, 2nd of 20, 1 1/4l behind Isabellareine (9-8) at Galway 2m hcp 50-70 gf in Jul '10.

Elyaadi 12-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden entering straight, kept on same pace from 2f out, 7th of 20, 6l behind Goldplated (7-8) at Leopardstown 1m 4f fll hcp gd.

Kylebeg Krystle (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Mid-division, 8th after 4 out, ridden into 4th 2 out, 3rd last, kept on to dispute 2nd run-in, 2nd close home, 2nd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Lascalahall (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens16 in Apr.

Urban Beach (IRE) 125-1 (9-2) Soon raced in 4th, 5th over 4f out, no impression under pressure straight, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 15l behind Sense Of Purpose (9-2) at Killarney 1m 6f stks gd in May.