Verdict

Gordon Elliott holds the key with three entries. Braeside won the Cork Grand National on heavy ground in October though that was over 3m4f. Farouk D'alene beat the useful Blue Sari over 2m4f here before finishing second to a pair of high-class performers at Limerick and Naas and is very much on the upgrade. Run Wild Fred couldn't handle stable companion Fury Road in a Leopardstown Grade 1 but had the remainder strung out and it will be a surprise if he's not there at the finish. However, BEACON EDGE is taken to upset the Elliott battalions having had Fury Road back in third when landing the Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse back in November. He didn't get far at Leopardstown a couple of weeks ago but can bounce back here.

Formwatch

Beacon Edge (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Towards rear, 5th at 6th where mistake and fell, at Leopardstown 2m 5f (1) Yielding in Feb.

Antey (GER) 66-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 6th, ridden and headed home turn, weakened thereafter, off pace when fell last, at Haydock 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.

Braeside (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division on inner, mistake 9th and ridden, in rear when mistake 4 out and pulled up, at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp sft in Jan.

Farouk D'Alene (FR) 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, mistake 6th, mistake 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden 2 out, strongly pressed at last, headed inside final furlong, kept on under pressure close home, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Stattler (11-2) at Naas 3m 1f (1) Good - Yielding in Jan.

Lieutenant Command (FR) 66-1 (11-3) Held up behind leaders, 5th halfway, slight mistake 7th, ridden and no extra before 2 out where mistake, 6th of 8, dist behind Bob Olinger (11-3) at Punchestown 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.

Run Wild Fred (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Close up, slightly slow 2nd, soon disputed lead, bad mistake 7 out, headed straight, one pace from under 2f out, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Fury Road (11-12) at Leopardstown 3m (1) Yielding in Dec.