Verdict

LORD ROYAL is unexposed and though potential punters would need to forgive a poor latest run at Naas he may have been feeling the effects of an earlier fall when going well at Thurles. Defi Bleu, placed in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham, has found 2m1f too short on both starts over fences and this should bring out the best in him while The Big Dog is ideally suited to this trip and testing ground so should get into contention. Avellino, a dual bumper winner and successful over hurdles, makes her chasing debut at an advanced age but arrives in good form and her allowance should help.

Formwatch

Defi Bleu (FR) 2-1fav (12-0) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, close 3rd when fell 2 out, at Leopardstown 2m 1f Yielding in Dec.

Diegos Way (IRE) 100-1 (11-6) In touch, lost place before 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Limerick 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.

Ferocious (IRE) 150-1 (12-0) Waited with, slight mistake 2nd, pushed along briefly soon after, reminders next in rear, never a factor, fell 2 out, at Navan 2m 4f sft in Dec.

Hollybank King (IRE) (12-2) (very poor visibility), ww, 8th 1/2way, rdn & prog to 4th bef last, sn wknd, no ex run-in, 6th of 12, 21l behind Keenaghan Lass (11-11) at Tattersalls 3m mdn hvy in Dec.

Jammy George (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along and headed over 4 out, soon dropped to rear, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.

Lord Royal (FR) 5-6fav (12-0) Led, joined after 6f, ridden and headed entering straight, moderate 3rd bypassing 2 out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, dist behind Espanito Bello (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f hvy in Dec.

Mr Hendricks (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Close up and disputed lead, bumped 1st, jumped slightly left at times, mistake 4 out and lost position and pushed along, no extra 3 out, bad mistake 2 out and soon pulled up, at Punchestown 3m 1f hvy in Dec.

The Big Dog (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Close up, slightly bumped with rival 1st, slightly slow 4th, slightly impeded 7th, disputed 3rd after 9th, not fluent 10th, on terms 3 out, headed from next, no impression straight in 3rd until kept on without threatening run-in, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Longhouse Poet (12-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f hvy in Dec.

Well Chimed (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Ld, 1l adv 1/2way, hdd aftr 6th, 2nd from 3out, no ex in 3rd bef 2out, wknd aftr, last of 5, 12 1/2l behind Saint Benedict (11-11) at Nenagh 3m Yielding - Soft in Feb.

Avellino (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Mid-division, 6th 3 out, ridden in 5th next, 5th at last, progress after last, 3rd inside final furlong, kept on without reaching winner in 2nd close home, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Mister Eddman (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Dec.