Verdict

STEELE'S ROCK attempted to make all at Punchestown and battled back when headed in the straight to finish less than two lengths in arrears. He'll get a good ride from Nina Carberry and can take this. Academy Rose, who reverts to a bumper after a very good second to Quiet Thought in a maiden hurdle here, is another guaranteed a good performance in the saddle and though Really Unique put some poor efforts in points behind him to run well on his bumper debut here, he's likely to do better over further in time. Ask Me Sister will be better for a fair reappearance at Limerick but Des Res looked as though a much longer trip would suit when staying on at one pace over 2m3f at Kilbeggan in July.

Formwatch

Des Res (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Held up towards outer, 7th halfway, in touch approaching straight, kept on under pressure to go 4th closing stages, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Lean Times (12-0) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f N H flat gd in Jul.

Giveabobback (IRE) 4-5 (12-0) Ww rr, hmprd 4out & prog in 3rd aftr 4out, ld bef 2out, so to go clr flat, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in Nov beating King Lir (12-0) by 5l, 9 ran.

Really Unique (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Towards rear, progress into moderate 4th before straight, went moderate 3rd and kept on without threatening under pressure from 2f out, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Roger Beantown (11-9) at Thurles 2m N H flat in Nov.

Rich Revival (IRE) Turtle Island gelding out of Rich Desire.

Tidy Zag (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 7th halfway, lost touch before 4 out, 7th of 12, well behind Sounds Of Jupiter (10-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan.

Tim's Approach (IRE) 3-1fav (11-11) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway to 2nd 6f out, ridden entering straight, no extra in 3rd 2f out, kept on one pace, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 12, 29l behind Miss Hyland (11-6) at Naas 2m 3f N H flat gd in Aug.

Academy General (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Discerning Air.

Badger Daly (IRE) Celtic Swing gelding out of Brittas Blues.

Coin River (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Clipped heels and slipped up shortly after start, in a race won by Sword Of Destiny (11-11) at Gowran Park 2m nhf hvy in Nov, 16 ran.

Demoolah (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Ld, 3l adv 6out, hdd bef last & btn in fair 4th when fell last, in a race won by Shrapnel (11-7) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in Apr, 12 ran.

Flycorn (IRE) Winged Love gelding out of Scathach.

Steele's Rock (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, headed early straight, rallied under pressure 1f out, no extra last 100 yards, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Darwins Fox (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf sft in Nov.

Academy Rose (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway to track leaders approaching 3 out, left 2nd next, ridden to challenge approaching last, no extra and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 18, 6l behind Quiet Thought (10-8) at Thurles 2m mares mdn hdl sft in Nov.

Ask Me Sister (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Close up in 3rd, led narrowly over 3f out, strongly pressed straight, headed 2f out, soon no extra, 4th of 18, 11l behind Kalanelli (10-13) at Limerick 2m mrs N H flat sft in Nov.

Dazzling Susie (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) In rear, progress from 3f out, kept on without threatening from 2f out, 5th of 18, 8l behind The Chazer (11-0) at Killarney 2m 1f 4yo nhf gd in Jul '09.

Shasta Lady (IRE) Alderbrook filly out of Knockdromin Lady.