Verdict

EL SALVADOR was having his first start since June when making all for a comfortable maiden success a fortnight ago and can make a successful start to his handicap career. Katiola hasn't been seen since September but a victory at Leopardstown in July suggests there's more to come from her. Solo Performer could do with a few pounds off his rating but Denny Crane continues to go well and Johnny Murtagh will be hoping to add to his mount's four victories on the track. Gretzky has gone up 6lb for his latest success but hasn't stopped improving and Conor Hoban is great value for his claim while the very useful hurdler Shadow Catcher makes his debut on the surface before heading for Cheltenham.

Formwatch

Solo Performer (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, soon headway to track leader in 2nd, led after halfway, strongly pressed early straight and headed over 1f out, soon dropped to 4th and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 6l behind Steps To Freedom (9-13) at Dundalk 1m 3f 4yo stk pol.

Denny Crane 9-2 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway and not clear run 2f out, ridden into 4th 1f out, switched to inner and kept on final furlong to press winner close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Salam Alaykum (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol.

Katiola (IRE) 5-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd and ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Montebell (8-6) at Curragh 1m 4f fll hcp in Sep.

El Salvador (IRE) 5-4fav (9-5) Made all, pushed out from 2f out, asserted over 1f out, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Dundalk 1m 4f mdn stks pol beating Absolutlyfantastic (9-8) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.

Shadow Catcher 16-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, chasing leaders and edging left when slightly hampered well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Shamdarley (9-6) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct '11.

Gretzky 10-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, switched right and ridden 2f out, went 8th 1f out, hung left and stayed on well under pressure to lead closing stages, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Jan beating Salam Alaykum (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.

Roe Deer (IRE) 4-1fav (9-5) Always prominent, good run on inner to lead 1f out, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 1m 4f hcap pol in Dec beating Shake The Bucket (9-11) by 1/2l, 14 ran.

Charpoy (USA) 25-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, under pressure 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 29l behind Star Links (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Aug.

Confidence (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened, 13th of 14, 17l behind Spin Of A Coin (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol in Feb '12.

Alghanem (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Salam Alaykum (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcap pol.

Run With The Wind (IRE) 12-1 (7-13) Held up, kept on without threatening straight, 11th of 27, 33l behind Voleuse De Coeurs (9-1) at Curragh 2m hcp hvy in Oct.

Hurricane Ridge (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) In rear, effort when short of room on inner 2f out, blocked and short of racing room for much of straight, kept on close home, 6th of 11, 7l behind Sure Reef (8-12) at Galway 1m 4f 3yo hcp 60-90 gd in Jul.

Wrekin Rock (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed under 2f out, weakened, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Leroy Parker (8-3) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp hvy in Oct.