Verdict

TAVERN TIMES looked one to follow when gaining a debut success in a Fairyhouse bumper last October and ran well behind Cue Card in the Festival Bumper at Cheltenham. He may have been feeling the effects when a beaten favourite in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown and can get back on track here. Shannon Spirit was another to impress on his racecourse debut coming home clear at Thurles in January and though well beaten behind Cue Card better is expected. The filly Valleymount looked right at home on testing ground at Cork and should make her allowance count while both Jim Will Fix It and Sydney Des Pictons beat much better fancied rivals last time and are open to plenty of improvement, as is Sligo winner Shaniv. After beating Ta Blazes at Downpatrick, Bandra Bullet came up against the high-class Dylan Ross at Down Royal and wasn't disgraced.

Formwatch

Bayross (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway into 2nd 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, led 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Down Royal 2m N H flat sft in Nov beating Lady Olwyn (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.

Forty Foot Tom 5-2 (11-12) Led, jumped left 2nd, joined approaching straight, headed and kept on one pace from after 2 out, 4th of 19, 10l behind Tornedo Shay (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 5yo mdn hdl hvy in Nov.

Jim Will Fix It (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, keen hold early, on terms over 4f out, led and ridden clear from 2f out, stayed on well, won at Clonmel 2m N H flat hvy in Nov beating Rolly Baby (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.

Shannon Spirit (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) In touch, lost place over 4f out, soon behind, 22nd of 24, 48l behind Cue Card (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar.

Tavern Times (IRE) 9-4fav (12-0) Mid-division, 10th over 6f out, no impression under pressure from before straight, 12th of 17, 18l behind Hidden Universe (11-4) at Punchestown 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Apr.

Bandra Bullet (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden in 2nd 3f out, under pressure in 4th 2f out, stayed on to 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Dylan Ross (11-11) at Down Royal 2m N H flat in Nov.

Shaniv (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Always prominent, led 4f out, joined from 2f out, soon ridden, led again under 1f out, stayed on well, won at Sligo 2m 4yo nhf gd in May beating Taken Twice (11-0) by 3/4l, 15 ran.

Sydney Des Pictons (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, 11th approaching halfway, took closer order 4f out, 8th on outer entering straight, 4th 1f out, ran on strongly to lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4yo nhf hvy in Apr beating Samain (11-8) by nk, 16 ran.

Valleymount (IRE) 3-1fav (10-13) Rear of mid-division, headway from 4f out, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Cork 2m mares n h flat 4yo hvy in Oct beating Winslet (11-1) by 6l, 16 ran.