Verdict

STAYING ARTICLE and Blackstairmountain look the pair to concentrate upon with preference just for the former. Edward O'Grady's charge has only had four starts over hurdles and there's much more to come. A very close third under a huge weight to Citizenship in the Boylesports Hurdle at Leopardstown in January, he didn't reappear until last month with a good run on the Flat and looks the type to challenge for honours this season. Blackstairmountain was beginning to make a name for himself over fences last season and produced a tremendous run when third in this year's Galway Plate. He showed he had enough pace to win on the Flat in August and though unable to cope with Captain Cee Bee and others in a Grade 2 over timber at Tipperary last month he still produced a fair effort in defeat. Joxer ran his best race to date behind the classy Monksland at Down Royal last time and will be winning again before long.

Formwatch

Joxer (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway in 4th before 2 out, 2nd 2 out, ridden before last and no impression, briefly pressed winner after last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Monksland (11-8) at Down Royal 2m hdl G2 (1) gd.

Ludo Et Emergo (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Chased leader in moderate 2nd, closed 3 out, ridden in 4th and no extra entering straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 24l behind Tango Banbou (11-2) at Gowran Park 2m nov hdl (4-6yo) in Mar.

Staying Article (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, left 2nd 4th, improved to lead 2 out, ridden and kept on from before last, headed run-in and no extra, 3rd of 30, 1 1/2l behind Citizenship (10-3) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 in Jan.

Blackstairmountain (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up, 7th halfway, pushed along into 4th after 3 out, no impression before straight, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 21l behind Captain Cee Bee (11-7) at Tipperary 2m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Oct.

Count Salazar (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, 10th and no extra when fell 3 out, in a race won by Highdownhill (11-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f am hcp ch 0-102 hvy in Oct, 21 ran.

Eyesontheprize (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Soon mid-division, 7th approaching 2 out, soon no impression, 13th of 15, 49l behind Mae's Choice (11-2) at Punchestown 2m 2f hdl G3 (1) hvy in Apr.

Gudnis Gracious Me (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Never better than mid-division, pushed along before straight, soon no impression, 11th of 15, 29l behind Keep It Cool (10-0) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl 8Evens30 in Jul.

Rory Anna (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by Snap Tie (11-9) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl gs in Apr, 25 ran.