Verdict

This has been run seven times and six favourites have won. Lord Scoundrel lost his unbeaten record to Sizing John in a Grade 2 at Punchestown where the minimum trip looked on the short side. His stablemate Shadow Catcher kept running into smart performers before beating the useful Guitar Pete over 2m4f at Cork and was by no means disgraced when tackling Grade 2 company at Down Royal. VELVET MAKER has the potential to be very useful over fences and jumped brilliantly to make a successful start at Naas. He's won on heavy ground over timber so the conditions won't be a problem and the trip is ideal so he looks the one to be on. Ttebbob competed at a high level over hurdles and made a sparkling debut over fences at Thurles where he jumped superbly. He's another exciting prospect and won't go down without a battle. Solita won a bumper and scored three times over timber but is even better over fences having scored on her debut at Fairyhouse before unseating Robbie Power back there last week.

Formwatch

Lord Scoundrel (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Soon tracked leader in 2nd, led after 2nd, disputed at 5th, mistake 7th and soon 2nd, pushed along before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression leader, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Sizing John (11-4) at Punchestown 2m (1) Soft - Heavy in Nov.

Shadow Catcher 10-1 (11-1) Soon led and disputed, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 9th, headed approaching 2 out, soon no impression, one pace, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Ptit Zig (11-10) at Down Royal 2m 4f Yielding in Oct.

Ttebbob (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Made all, soon well clear, slightly reduced lead 3 out, still travelling smoothly straight but soon came back to pursuer, eased away again run-in to assert, won at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Nov beating All Hell Let Loose (11-12) by 6l, 15 ran.

Velvet Maker (FR) 11-8fav (11-12) Led, edged right on bend after 2nd, slight mistake 6th, still travelling smoothly straight, asserted from before last, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Naas 2m Yielding in Nov beating Dysios (11-12) by 11l, 8 ran.

Solita (IRE) 15-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, 4th after 3rd, fell 7th,, at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp sft in Nov.