Verdict

Champagne Agent has been placed in five of his eight starts over hurdles, only finding one too good on four occasions. It would be no surprise to see him finally get off the mark here but he's hardly a reliable proposition given his record and there remain doubts about his stamina over this trip. KASHLINE may represent more value as he'll certainly stay having already won over 3m between the flag. He was only beaten a length-and-a-half on his debut under Rules at Navan. Band Leader didn't run badly on his hurdling debut over 2m at Thurles and is also worth a second look but the others have something to prove.

Formwatch

Band Leader (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Soon led, headed 4 out, dropped to 5th under pressure before 2 out, one pace, 5th of 18, 29l behind Touch The Eden (11-12) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl in Nov.

Champagne Agent (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Led and disputed, mistake 3 out, ridden before straight, headed last, kept on without matching winner run-in, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind High Desert (10-11) at Fairyhouse 2m mdn hdl sft in Nov.

Fair Lord (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, some headway into moderate 4th before 2 out, no chance with easy winner and kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 34l behind A Decent Excuse (11-7) at Naas 3m mdn hdl in Nov.

Gortroe (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Well off pace towards rear for much, never a factor, 12th of 16, well behind Home Farm (11-4) at Thurles 2m 2f Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) in Nov.

Kashline (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) (poor visibility) tracked leaders, 5th from 4 out, ridden entering straight, moderate 3rd 2 out, went moderate 2nd at last, kept on run-in to press winner to line, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Drawn N Drank (11-12) at Navan 2m 7f mdn hdl hvy in Nov.

Master Oisin (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Reminders early, towards rear, reminders again before 3rd, ridden from 6th, soon no impression, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bunnenaugh (11-2) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Aug, 10 ran.

Peace In The West (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) In rear for most, never a factor, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Twigline (11-5) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Nov.

Seanie Boy (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Always towards rear, 15th of 19, well behind Bright New Dawn (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hdl sft.

West Council (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Mid div, wknd to rr & pu 4out, in a race won by Crude (12-0) at Lisronagh 3m ire ptp hvy, 14 ran.

Dante Anna (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, reminders 5 out, not match 1st 2 from before 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 31l behind Thouva (11-12) at Wexford 2m 3f beg chs.

Fade In (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Ww rr, 14th from 7th & mstk 9th, still rr but sl closer when fell 5out, in a race won by Inamalabalusaloon (12-0) at Dawstown 3m ire ptp gs in May, 15 ran.

Francis Street (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) (poor visibility) always behind, 6th of 10, well behind Drawn N Drank (11-12) at Navan 2m 7f mdn hdl hvy in Nov.