Verdict

This is probably destined for a newcomer as none of those with hurdling experience have shown much though Sounds Of Thunder and Run With The Wind can improve. LEAH CLAIRE progressed markedly on the Flat last year and this tough mare, who went up 19lb in the ratings as a consequence, can make a winning debut as a hurdler. Launchpad landed a mile maiden for Luca Cumani at Windsor in October but Scottish Reel may prove the biggest threat despite going off the boil on his last two starts for Aidan O'Brien as he's a son of Sadler's Wells. King's Parade showed some ability for Sir Michael Stoute but his pedigree is mostly about sprinting.

Formwatch

Crimson Sky (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 8th halfway, 6th approaching 2 out, ridden and no impression entering straight, moderate 5th when blundered at last, eased right down run-in, 18th of 20, well behind The Bull Hayes (11-10) at Leopardstown 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan.

Great Alex (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, 36l behind Luddsdenene (11-5) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl hvy in Jan.

Julie Prince (IRE) Desert Prince gelding out of Daniella Ridge.

Kennoway (IRE) Court Cave gelding out of Elegant Express.

Rassi Maguire (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, dropped to mid-division 4 out, no impression from next, 9th of 18, 23l behind The Pier (11-10) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl in Jan.

Run With The Wind (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Led before 2nd, slight mistake and headed 5 out, disputed again 4 out, ridden in 3rd entering straight, no extra and weakening when unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Bayross (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) hvy in Jan, 16 ran.

Senior Again (IRE) 66-1 (11-8) Never a factor, 21st of 28, well behind Sydney Des Pictons (11-3) at Navan 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan.

The Way We Were (IRE) Definite Article gelding out of Shuil Oilean.

Too Late To Sell (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, tailed off, 18th of 24, well behind So Young (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4f 4yo mdn hdl in Dec.

Tornant (IRE) Milan gelding out of Graffogue.

Worldor (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, kept on without threatening from before 2 out, 7th of 21, 27l behind Hidden Universe (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Dec.

Hudder Ghan (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 12th of 18, 36l behind Belle Brook (10-13) at Thurles 2m mares mdn hdl in Jan.

Leah Claire (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway into 6th 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 6l behind Flowers Of Spring (8-5) at Leopardstown 1m 4f hcap sft in Oct (flat).

Twentyeleven (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Towards rear for most, tailed off, 10th of 18, well behind Dare To Doubt (11-7) at Limerick 2m 3f mares mdn hdl hvy in Jan.

Green Energy 50-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 14th of 20, 35l behind Plan A (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Jan.

King's Parade 14-1 (8-10) Keen, led 1f, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 13l behind Berling (9-2) at Newbury 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May (flat).

Knockgraffon Lad (USA) 20-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, 15th of 17, 22l behind Breezed Well (8-2) at Navan 1m 3yo hcp 47-75 gf in Jun (flat).

Launchpad 11-8fav (9-3) Tracked leader, left in lead over 4f out, ridden and under pressure over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on, won at Windsor 1m mdn stks (5) gs in Oct beating Gift Of Love (8-12) by 1l, 9 ran (flat).

Louisiana Gift (IRE) 4-1fav (9-7) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, went moderate 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 14l behind Cuckoo Rock (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) hvy in Oct (flat).

Madera Drawn (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 11th of 12, 32l behind Quarton (10-7) at Naas 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Jan.

Scottish Reel (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd and pushed along approaching straight, no extra from over 2f out, 10th of 18, 20l behind Battleoftrafalgar (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo mdn in Oct (flat).

The Seanachie (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 12l behind The Silver Crown (9-11) at Galway 1m hcp 50-85 3yo gf in Aug (flat).

Xtraxtra (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 2f out, soon no extra and weakened, 13th of 14, 22l behind Luck Or Design (9-0) at Naas 6f mdn stks gd in Oct '09 (flat).

Killura (USA) 25-1 (8-13) 98th of 18, 7l behind Best Dating (8-8) at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 1m hcap gs in Jul (flat).

Sounds Of Thunder 66-1 (10-2) Towards rear, some progress halfway, 8th after 4 out, no impression from next, 6th of 18, 25l behind Ruler Of All (11-4) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl sft in Jan.

Morethanafeeling (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 15th of 21, 36l behind Hidden Universe (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Dec.

Princess Soricha (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Never a factor, 8th of 14, 45l behind Apache Drums (11-0) at Navan 2m 3yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.

Mywho 40-1 (10-10) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and dropped towards rear 4f out, weakened, last of 11, 24l behind Rebel Fitz (12-0) at Galway 2m N H flat gd in Oct.