Verdict

Excelcior found 2m much too short on his hurdling debut at Punchestown and is certain to come on for the experience. However, the stable's DUNBOYNE can take this after finishing second behind two very promising types in Bob Olinger and Capodanno and a big run from the latter in the previous race will point to his chances. Meticulous, narrowly beaten by Envoi Allen in a Grade 2 bumper two years ago, hasn't done as well as expected over hurdles but still has plenty of time. All About Joe wasn't right at Limerick after being caught on the line at Punchestown while winning point-to-pointer Salt Wind will be suited by what should be a stamina test.

Formwatch

Excelcior (FR) 14-1 (12-0) Waited with, 13th after 3rd, some headway in 8th from 3 out, soon one pace, 6th of 20, 34 3/4l behind Frere Tuck (12-0) at Punchestown 2m mdn hvy in Jan.

Meticulous (IRE) 1-2fav (12-0) Raced 2nd and disputed lead at times, not jump well, disputed lead entering straight, soon pushed along, not fluent and headed 2 out, ridden and dropped to 3rd before last, moderate 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 13 1/2l behind Jon Ess (12-0) at Gowran Park 2m mdn gd in Jul.

All About Joe (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Waited with, 6th after 7th and closed up, prominent from 3 out on outer, pushed along into straight, soon no impression, weakened and pulled up before last, at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hvy in Dec.

Cahirmee (IRE) 125-1 (12-0) Waited with, 14th at 4th, never a factor, jumped right 2 out and bumped rival, one pace, 12th of 17, dist behind Mr Incredible (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.

Dunboyne (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Led and disputed, ridden before 2 out, headed after 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Capodanno (11-12) at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Jan.

Mercury Lane (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Chased leaders early, slight mistake 8th, soon raced in 6th, closed from 6 out to track leaders, effort straight, challenged and every chance run-in, kept on well without matching winner, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Velvet Elvis (11-10) at Cork 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.

Mount Melleray (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Tracked leader on inner, 5th after 7th, headway before 6th, 5th after 7th, 4th after 4 out, under pressure after 3 out, some progress before 2 out, no impression in moderate 3rd after 2 out, 3rd of 18, 28l behind Shadow Rider (11-6) at Limerick 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.

Patriot Poet (IRE) 200-1 (11-6) Towards rear, progress to 8th after 7th, pushed along in 6th after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 18, dist behind Shadow Rider (11-6) at Limerick 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.

Rwegoinhigh (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs in 3rd until 2nd 5out, 2l 2nd & ev ch bef 2out, no ex frm last, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Zihuatanejo (12-2) at Tallow 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Feb.

Salt Wind (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 4th, jumped left 6th and 7th, travelled well after 2 out, ridden and headed early run-in, no impression on winner, kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Fun Light (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f mdn hvy in Jan.

Ticking Tom (IRE) 150-1 (12-0) Keen, tracked leaders, 4th at 4th, slight mistake 6 out, no extra approaching 2 out, 6th of 17, dist behind Mr Incredible (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.

Politicianspromise (IRE) Mahler gelding out of Holiday Time.

Nothinbuttime (IRE) 200-1 (11-7) In rear, remote 5th 4 out, ridden from next, distant 4th entering straight, 3rd at last, no impression, 3rd of 7, dist behind Pure Genius (12-0) at Punchestown 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.

Roped In (IRE) Presenting M out of Dushion.

Ballinaboola Hazel (IRE) Jet Away M out of Teresa Di Vicenzo.

Merry Doyenne (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) In rear, good headway from 3 out, went moderate 4th travelling well entering straight, kept on one pace in moderate 4th, 4th of 14, 32l behind La Chanteuse (11-9) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hvy in Jan.

Premier Queen (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) Led, joined 4f out, ridden and headed 3 1/2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 12, 23 1/2l behind Feddans (11-11) at Punchestown 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.

Claire's Charm (IRE) 66-1 (11-9) In rear, no impression from 3 out, never a factor, 7th of 9, dist behind Lady Breffni (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn Soft - Heavy in Jan.