Verdict

Darasso was due to run in a Grade 3 at Gowran yesterday but if turning up here would be an obvious threat to all. Ronald Pump has competed at Grade 1 level in his last six starts, chasing home Honeysuckle in the last two Hatton's Grace Hurdles. He won't mind the conditions nor will Darver Star, a very easy winner on heavy ground at Punchestown before a cracking effort in a very competitive Lingfield handicap. GRAND ROI couldn't cope with Klassical Dream over 3m at Leopardstown but wasn't far behind Darasso here in November and has a 5lb pull. He's more progressive than the stable's Commander Of Fleet while Thedevilscoachman reverts to hurdles after two good runs over fences. Dreal Deal, who completed a six-timer on the Flat and over timber last year, didn't take to fences here in December and is one to note in the market while Thyestes Chase winner Longhouse Poet will relish a stamina test on his return to hurdles.

Formwatch

Ashdale Bob (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden in 4th 3 out, no impression on leaders after 2 out, 4th and mistake at last, went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 9 3/4l behind Royal Kahala (11-1) at Gowran Park 3m (1) sft in Jan.

Darasso (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in 5th, closer in 4th 3 out, improved to dispute lead approaching 2 out, soon ridden, led at last, stayed on well run-in, won at Naas 2m (1) Good - Yielding in Jan beating Saint Felicien (11-7) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.

Dreal Deal (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, moderate 3rd after 4 out, ridden before 2 out,, no impression, dropped to remote 4th close home, 4th of 6, 37 1/4l behind Riviere D'etel (10-11) at Navan 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.

Grand Roi (FR) 22-1 (11-12) Mid-division, moderate 6th at 6th, progress in 5th after 3 out, no impression in moderate 4th before last, weakened run-in, 4th of 11, 34l behind Klassical Dream (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.

Thedevilscoachman (IRE) 13-8 (12-0) Tracked leader disputing 2nd, not fluent at 3rd and mistake 5th, 3rd at halfway, 2nd and mistake 4 out, pushed along in 3rd before 2 out, ridden in 2nd before last, kept on same pace in 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Saint Sam (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f sft in Jan.

Commander Of Fleet (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Mid-division, under pressure 3rd, ridden at halfway, weakened 4 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Royal Kahala (11-1) at Gowran Park 3m (1) sft in Jan.

Conron (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, bad mistake 2nd and dropped to rear, trailing when pulled up after 4th, at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Sep.

Darver Star (IRE) 13-8jfav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 4th, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and edged right before the last, headed run-in, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 3, 1 1/4l behind Brewin'upastorm (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 3f (2) hvy in Jan.

Early Doors (FR) 18-1 (11-6) Mid-division early, slight mistake 1st, soon held up, ridden in moderate 6th after 4 out, no impression and slight mistake next, moderate 5th before last, 5th of 8, dist behind Darver Star (11-6) at Punchestown 2m 3f hvy in Dec.

Gentlemansgame 7-1 (11-5) Rear of mid-division, headway into 5th 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 9, dist behind Royal Kahala (11-1) at Gowran Park 3m (1) sft in Jan.

Longhouse Poet (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders on outer, 3rd 4 out, improved to lead next, ridden and joined 2 out, progress to narrowly lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan beating Franco De Port (11-3) by 3/4l, 18 ran.

Ronald Pump 12-1 (11-12) Ran 4th behind clear leader, 5th before 4th, dropped to moderate 7th at 6th, mistake 3 out, weakened and detached 2 out, 7th of 11, dist behind Klassical Dream (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) sft in Dec.

Titan Jack (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Always rear, pushed along early and slow 1st, soon detached, slow 2nd and well behind, no extra before 3 out, weakened, completely tailed off, 15th of 16, dist behind Ellaat (11-5) at Thurles 2m hcp gd in Oct.

No Memory (IRE) 22-1 (11-1) Waited with, 6th from 3rd, closed on outer 3 out, one pace from before straight, 7th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Dysart Diamond (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 2f lst (1) Good - Yielding in Nov.