Verdict
Rattan has lost his way since finishing sixth at Cheltenham in November, He drops in class for this, but SHRAPNEL is preferred. Gordon Elliott's charge just failed to peg back Mallowney at Naas on his latest start and a similar effort should see him go one better in this. Carsonstown Bridge opened his account in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in January but Knockcroghery's recent fourth in a handicap at Cork looks stronger form. Silk Hall and Sydney Des Pictons were both winners in 2011 but has something to prove now and the former was pulled-up on his comeback, while Fully Funded has the past form to figure.
Formwatch
Rattan (USA) 40-1 (11-3) Mid-division outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 20th of 28, well behind Medinas (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Shrapnel (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, close 5th 3 out, ridden in 2nd 2 out, 2nd at last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Mallowney (11-9) at Naas 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) sft in Mar.
Carsonstown Bridge (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, challenged and on terms and clear of remainder before last, stayed on best run-in to get on top closing stages, won at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Jan beating Some Drama (11-1) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Fully Funded (USA) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, no impression before 3 out, weakened, 13th of 22, well behind Colbert Station (10-5) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl hvy in Feb.
Silk Hall (UAE) 20-1 (11-10) In rear, well behind 4 out, no impression when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Mount Colah (11-0) at Navan 2m hcp hdl hvy in Mar, 12 ran.
Sydney Des Pictons (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway into 7th approaching straight, challenged 2 out, soon led and wandered about before last, stayed on well under pressure run-in to draw clear, won at Navan 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan '11 beating Sicilian Secret (11-10) by 4l, 28 ran.
Yes Tom (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, badly hampered 9th, tracked leader 13th, ridden and lost place when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 31l behind Always Right (11-2) at Kelso 2m 7f lst chs (1) sft in Mar.
Knockcroghery (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, 6th 2 out, soon no impression under pressure, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 7l behind Roman Numeral (9-8) at Cork 2m hcp hdl 80-116 in Mar.