Verdict

Willie McCreery won this last year and the booking of Joseph O'Brien for An Cat Dubh, who ran a fine race behind Hi Emperor at Fairyhouse, looks significant. But MULTITASKING was only just behind Exhortation, who runs in the opener, over the C&D in May and found 5f too short when favourite at Down Royal last month so gets the vote. Storm Lightning is returning from a very long break though he showed very good pace when run out of it close home over 7f here in October and the shorter trip looks in his favour. David Wachman runs both the consistent Feathers And Bows and the lightly-raced Strike Action and it's the latter who can come out on top of the pair though she looked in need of further when staying on over 7f here in May. Hexagonal is comfortably the pick on last season's form which included a runners-up spot in a Listed event but he's finished last in both starts this season.

Formwatch

Allegri (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, weakened entering straight, last of 12, 26l behind July Revolution (8-10) at Fairyhouse 7f 3yo hcp sft in Jun.

An Cat Dubh (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden to lead 1 1/2f out, narrowly headed last 100 yards, kept on, slightly hampered last strides, 2nd of 17, nk behind Hi Emperor (9-5) at Fairyhouse 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn gf in Jun.

Epic Encounter (IRE) Clodovil gelding out of Bintalreef.

Hatton Cross (IRE) Moss Vale colt out of Last Gasp.

Hexagonal (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 22l behind Brendan Brackan (9-2) at Down Royal 7f mdn stks gf in Jun.

Multitasking 6-4fav (9-5) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Chois The Idea (9-5) at Down Royal 5f mdn stks gf in Jun.

My Good Brother (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Soon tracked leaders, lost place and no impression under pressure from 2f out, 6th of 8, 13l behind Our Conor (9-5) at Roscommon 7f mdn stks sft in Jun.

Storm Lightning 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th early straight, switched right over 1f out and soon challenged, kept on same pace under pressure, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Rogue Element (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 2yo mdn stks pol in Oct.

Empress Of Tara (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 12th of 15, 12l behind Alsium (9-0) at Curragh 6f mdn stks sft in Jun.

Feathers and Bows (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 8th halfway, 6th over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong without troubling leaders, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Exhortation (9-5) at Dundalk 6f mdn stks pol in May.

Strike Action 9-2 (9-12) Chased leaders early, 7th halfway, ridden into 3rd 1f out, kept on into 2nd final furlong, no impression winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Elusive In Paris (9-11) at Dundalk 7f 3yo hcp 47-70 pol in May.