Verdict

Aidan O'Brien had three entries at the early stage and relies on Battleoftrafalgar, who improved with each run in his first campaign and wasn't beaten far in his final two starts on this track. Puncher Clynch scored twice on ground with plenty of give but is 11lbs higher than when landing a Listowel nursery in September. KERALOUN was a short-priced favourite when beaten three times here but his pedigree suggests he will do better over today's trip. Velvet Band has joined Ger Lyons from Paul Cole and may just need this first start since October but King Of Aran will be race-fit after his run at the Curragh and produced his best performance to date on this track in November.

Formwatch

Puncher Clynch (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 9th of 12, 9l behind Jamaayel (8-0) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo hcp hvy in Nov.

Keraloun (IRE) 6-4fav (9-3) Led, strongly pressed early straight, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Rock Pipit (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn stks pol in Nov.

Battleoftrafalgar 5-2 (9-3) Prominent, 2nd halfway, driven along approaching straight, challenged 2f out, 3rd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Rock Pipit (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 2yo mdn stks pol in Nov.

Velvet Band 11-1 (9-0) Led early, prominent, not clear run and hampered well over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 1l behind Safari Special (8-7) at Kempton 6f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Oct.

King Of Aran (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Towards rear, kept on same pace from under 2f out, 7th of 10, 7l behind Duchess Of Foxland (8-7) at Curragh 7f 3yo ext hcp sft in Mar.