Verdict

Willie Mullins won this last year with Raptor and ALLURE OF ILLUSION will be all the rage to follow-up. A winning bumper at Killarney, he finished third in the Grade 2 Champion Bumper at Aintree in April before a very promising start over timber here last month where he made Joxer pull out all the stops. King Vuvuzela made an impressive start to his career in a bumper here last May and has by no means been disgraced in his two starts over hurdles while winning point-to-pointer Doctor Henry did very well on his only start over timber though that was over a year ago. Royal Vic caught the eye on his latest bumper start and should be noted in the betting.

Formwatch

Allure Of Illusion (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Chased clear leader, 5th halfway, hampered 4 out, headway in 3rd approaching straight, soon 2nd and closed approaching last, kept on under pressure run-in without reaching winner, no impression closing stages, 2nd of 18, 1l behind Joxer (11-10) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl in Jan.

Candeeiro (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Waited with, no impression from 4f out, soon moderate 4th, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 36l behind Tidy Zag (11-7) at Thurles 2m N H flat hvy in Dec.

Doctor Henry (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Always prominent, 4th halfway, headway to dispute lead entering straight, led briefly 2f out, headed under pressure over 1f out and soon no chance with winner, kept on same pace, 2nd of 20, 6l behind House Rules (11-3) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo nhf in Oct '10.

Lightning Rory (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Always behind, never a factor, tailed off, 17th of 20, dis behind Station Lane (10-4) at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy.

The Stump Jump 66-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, tailed off, 16th of 18, well behind Our Vinnie (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f N H flat in Jan.

Caspian Piper (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 5th before 4 out, no impression approaching next, moderate 6th and kept on same pace from before straight, 5th of 16, 38l behind Jack Bene (11-4) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn hdl hvy in Jan.

Duke's Palace (IRE) King's Theatre gelding out of Sister Superior.

King Vuvuzela (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, no impression and dropped to 6th before 2 out, no extra, 6th of 16, 22l behind Turban (11-2) at Thurles 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.

Present Potential (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, no extra from 2 out, weakened, 11th of 16, 22l behind Midnight Game (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Dec.

Royal Vic (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) In rear, last on outer entering straight, soon ridden, kept on without threatening from 2f out, 5th of 10, 11l behind Golden Firth (10-12) at Navan 2m N H flat in Jan.

Maxwells Demon (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear for most, tailed off, 15th of 19, well behind Hats And Heels (11-3) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl in Jan.

Jenny Make A Penny (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Rear of mid-division for most, never a factor, 10th of 14, 37l behind Mount Colah (11-7) at Down Royal 2m N H flat hvy in Dec.

The Boys Dont Know (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden in moderate 7th 4f out, stayed on into 4th 2f out, 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 20l behind Kates Benefit (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f mrs N H flat hvy in Dec.