Verdict

It's a surprise to see RATTAN running here as he's well clear on official ratings. He's engaged in a much better quality race here next week and this is presumably a warm-up. The consistent Tribes And Banner invariably finds one or two too good as a strike-rate over hurdles of 1-17 suggests while Tristram Shandy has been finding 2m3f too far after landing a maiden over the minimum trip at Clonmel. Earlson Gray is interesting having arrived from France before his only start for Willie Mullins in January of last year where he was runner-up in a Grade 2 novices' hurdle. Now with Dessie Hughes, he's one to note for the future.

Formwatch

Khan Tengri (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, progress into 4th halfway, 3rd and ridden 3 out, no impression from next, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 8l behind Thewesthowaya (11-0) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp hdl 80-102 gd.

Rattan (USA) 8-1 (11-1) Soon chased leaders, closer order 4 out, 5th into straight, 4th before 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure from last, 3rd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Baily Green (10-9) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp hdl sft.

Miley Shah (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders and took keen hold, 2nd halfway and led from 8th, asserted approaching last and kept on well, won at Tramore 2m 5f mdn hdl hvy in Aug beating A New Day (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.

Tribes And Banner (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 4th before straight, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Anshan Dreams (11-5) at Galway 2m hcp hdl 8Evens23 sft.

Tristram Shandy (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, no extra from 3 out, 8th of 9, 49l behind Beau Michael (10-13) at Naas 2m 3f hdl in Aug.

Earlson Gray (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 5th, still travelling well after 2 out, 4th straight, moderate 2nd approaching last, ran on strongly under pressure, just failed, 2nd of 7, nk behind Gagewell Flyer (11-8) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Jan '11.

Silver Shuffle (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway into 5th 3 out, ridden 2 out, soon no extra and kept on one pace, 6th of 19, 30l behind Mount Colah (11-5) at Down Royal 2m Maiden Hurdle (5-6yo) sft in Jun.