Shay Barry saddles the two bumper winners who have to concede weight all round on their hurdling debuts in what looks a tricky contest. Thumb Stone Blues may prove the best of the pair but it's DELEGATE, who fell on his hurdling debut then ran a close third behind a couple of useful performers at Fairyhouse, who gets the vote. He reverted to a bumper at Navan and performed very well behind a smart recruit of Willie Mullins and will take some beating. The champion trainer runs Indien Rouge, runner-up on testing ground at Pau almost a year ago. The winner has been well beaten subsequently but it will be a surprise if he's not thereabouts at the finish.
Kalanisi King (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden into 4th 2f out, stayed on well on inner to lead 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Tramore 2m gd in May beating Dixie Lee (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Thumb Stone Blues (IRE) 6-5fav (12-0) Held up, 4th halfway, improved into 2nd 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to narrow lead 1f out, headed final 150 yards, kept on without matching winner, 2nd of 6, nk behind Rosshaven Lady (11-7) at Galway 2m 2f gd in Sep.
Delegate 9-4 (12-0) Held up towards rear, raced towards outer, improved to track leaders approaching straight, pushed along under 2f out, chased winner 1f out, kept on without troubling winner final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Avenir D'une Vie (12-0) at Navan 2m hvy in Dec.
Heron Heights (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress outer 4f out, no impression in 5th entering straight, no extra over 1f out, 6th of 8, 22 1/2l behind Archive (11-13) at Leopardstown 2m Yielding in Feb.
Iwillifiwant (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Settled behind leaders, moderate 5th halfway, closer 3 out, ridden in 5th and no impression before straight, fell 2 out, at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Knockraha Boss (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Soon mid-division, closed to chase leaders 4 out, no impression in 5th 2 out, no extra, 7th of 21, dist behind Min (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 2f mdn sft in Dec.
Pack Your Bags (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Mid-division, progress into 7th 4 out, ridden in 5th 3 out, no extra entering straight, 4th of 16, dist behind Victory Mill (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.
Wilsaviour (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Led and disputed early, 3rd at 3rd, 4th halfway, weakened 8th, pulled up before 4 out, at Thurles 2m 6f mdn Yielding - Soft in Feb.
Dixie Highway (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Towards rear early, soon mid-division, ridden into moderate 7th before straight, no impression before 2 out, 7th of 18, dist behind Bello Conti (11-4) at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Indien Rouge (FR) (10-5) 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Hurricane Rina (10-1) at Pau 2m fll sft in Jan.
Killarney Lakes (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Cecelia's Charm.
Senior Counsel (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division early, soon towards rear, no impression before 3 out, 11th of 18, dist behind Bello Conti (11-4) at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Benefit Miss (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, slight mistakes 2nd and 4th, ridden 3 out, no impression before next, kept on one pace straight, 5th of 9, dist behind Supasundae (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
Rakaia Rosa (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, ran freely, 12th halfway, no impression in 9th approaching 2 out, no extra, 8th of 18, dist behind Monbeg Rose (10-13) at Thurles 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Small Bar (IRE) Marienbard M out of Spice Patrol.
Rebel Ace (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear, some headway but no impression from before straight, one pace, 7th of 12, 31l behind Ball D'arc (11-7) at Limerick 2m mdn hvy in Dec.
