Verdict

Raise The Goblet won this a year ago from the same mark but he's done little since and the race looks tougher this time around. Katie Walsh produced a 'masterclass' to get the reluctant Paramount home at Tipperary last week and a 5lbs rise may not be enough stop her mount repeating the process though she'll need to time her run to perfection and FANTASY KING could outbattle him. Charles O'Brien's charge, an easy bumper winner at Punchestown in May, followed up by beating the in-form Swiftmarc a short-head at Leopardstown where he never flinched when put under pressure. Star Wood scored over 1m5f here a year ago but ran poorly over timber on his only subsequent starts later in the year. Skylancer completed a hat-trick over hurdles last autumn and will be better for a recent run at Killarney.

Formwatch

Skylancer 4-1 (10-0) Held up, last and ridden 3f out, improved into moderate 6th 1f out, one pace, 7th of 9, 6l behind Balakan (8-8) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol in Mar '08.

Fantasy King 3-1 (10-7) Rear of mid-division, headway into 3rd 5f out, improved to challenge 2f out, ridden to dispute inside final furlong, led close home, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f mdn stks gf in Jun beating Swiftmarc (10-7) by shd, 14 ran.

Star Wood (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Led, ridden to go 4L clear 3f out, reduced advantage 1f out, kept on under pressure, won at Bellewstown 1m 5f am stks (4yo+) gd in Jul '09 beating Valain (11-0) by 3/4l, 11 ran.

Kammaan 10-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway to go 4th briefly approaching straight, soon no extra, weakened early straight, 10th of 12, 37l behind Directa King (10-9) at Limerick 2m stks gd in Jun.

Cyborg 7-1 (8-1) Held up towards rear, progress into 7th 4f out, 6th early straight, soon challenged, no extra from over 1f out, 7th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Tovaria (8-9) at Roscommon 1m 4f hcap gf in Jun.

Sutherland Star (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Prominent, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace straight, 7th of 15, 10l behind Fisher Bridge (8-11) at Curragh 2m hcp 60-100 gf in Jun.

Paramount (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th approaching straight, headway between horses to lead over 1f out, swished tail but kept on well inside final furlong, all out close home, won at Tipperary 1m 6f Apprentice Handicap (50-75) (4yo+) fm in Jun beating Summerlea (11-4) by shd, 13 ran.

Dandy Erin (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) In touch, 8th halfway, ridden and one pace straight, 11th of 23, 9l behind Luttrell Lady (8-11) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 60-90 gd in Jun.

Raise The Goblet (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Led, headed approaching straight, no extra from 2f out, weakened, 10th of 13, 10l behind Paramount (11-8) at Tipperary 1m 6f Apprentice Handicap (50-75) (4yo+) fm in Jun.

Monahullan Prince 9-1 (8-12) Rear of mid-division, some headway into 6th 4f out, no extra from early straight, 6th of 13, 19l behind Galianna (8-8) at Clonmel 2m hcp 60-90 gd in May.

Agamard 33-1 (8-9) Never a factor, 21st of 23, 20l behind Luttrell Lady (8-11) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 60-90 gd in Jun.