Verdict

Bombadero, beaten just a length by the classy Monksland at Navan last December, has come nowhere near that form subsequently and this looks an ideal opportunity for CHAMPAGNE AGENT to finally get off the mark over hurdles. Willie Mullins' bumper winner has definitely been a bit disappointing over timber but has bumped into some useful opposition along the way and today's likely quicker surface should enable him to gain his first success. Lastofthepilots has also won a bumper but shown little over timber but winning point-to-pointer Itsy Bitsy Spider is likely to do better over hurdles than in his two starts in bumpers.

Formwatch

Champagne Agent (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd 5 out, ridden in 2nd entering straight, no extra from 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Busty Brown (11-4) at Roscommon 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy.

Lastofthepilots (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden in moderate 5th before 3 out, no impression from next, 4th of 13, 38l behind Hansupfordetroit (11-1) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Sep.

Mountain Pride (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 21st of 23, well behind Captain Arceus (11-12) at Navan 2m mdn hdl sft in Sep.

Ballyspellan Lad (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, headway into 7th before straight, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 25, 27l behind Golden Ticket (11-11) at Punchestown 2m 1f N H flat gf in May '11.

Bombadero (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division, some progress from 4 out, no impression from next, 12th of 17, well behind Tristram Shandy (11-12) at Clonmel 2m mdn hdl sft in Jun.

Hangersonallgone (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, moderate 6th before 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, hampered at last, 6th of 13, well behind Hansupfordetroit (11-1) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Sep.

Itsy Bitsy Spider (IRE) 22-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, completely tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Balnaslow (12-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f NH flat gs in Apr.

Optic Measure (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 3rd approaching 5 out, lost place from 3 out, soon no impression, 5th of 12, 38l behind Skibabe (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hdl.

Rior (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up, 11th early, kept on same pace without threatening from before 3 out, 4th of 15, 9l behind Stormy Oscar (11-12) at Tramore 2m mdn hdl sft.

Smart Money (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) In rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 4f out, soon moderate 3rd and no impression, kept on same pace, 6th of 12, well behind Shotgun Paddy (11-6) at Thurles 2m N H flat in Feb.