There's plenty of potential on show and, intriguingly, LE LABO is Joseph O'Brien's first bumper runner in Britain for five years. While the selection's performance at Thurles wasn't mind-blowing, he got the job done despite showing glaring signs of inexperience. Koktail Brut and Green Splendour can make their presence felt, while Mossy Fen Road arrives here with his head held high after winning both his races with ease.[Alistair Jones]
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Out of a half-sister to Irish National winner Commanche Court; could do no more than win by over 7l on his debut at Ayr but beat only four rivals and the ground was heavy; may lack the gears for a test of this nature.
Only fifth in his one point start; Irish raider who was sent to Carlisle for his rules debut (soft; 8-1) and responded well for pressure to win going away; however, that form isn't flashy and this looks a big ask.
From the family of the stable's smart staying chaser Sam Brown and this 5yo kept on best to win on heavy ground at Sandown two months ago (form has been franked); has a bright future but this race offers a different examination altogether.
Strong at the finish to win at Hereford (good to soft) and Warwick (good), latterly in a first-time tongue-tie on stable debut; scopey 6yo who should progress further and has posted RPRs that suggest he could hold his own at this higher level.
Ridden by David Dunsdon in all his races and a shade of odds-on when comfortably accounting for his four rivals at Fontwell the final time (1m5f, good); he wouldn't be an obvious one to follow up in this company.
Recruited for 200,000euros after winning an Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) last April; won easily at Newbury (good) and held his own in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, finishing a 5l fifth but unlucky not to be closer (met with late interference); that form sets the standard and, seemingly not short of speed, this track should suit him well.
Fourth in a point bumper; showed the right attitude when making all for a 6l success at Fontwell (good to soft) but this is a very different ball game and he'll improve for longer trips further down the line.
His form in Irish points was no great shakes but he fetched £50,000 after winning at the fourth attempt; this represents a huge rise in class from beating average opposition at Fontwell (soft).
Stable last won this in 2016; won a traditionally warm bumper at Leopardstown over Christmas (yielding) and did his best work late in the day when beaten just over 3l in a Grade 2 there in February (soft; just behind Koktail Brut); the second and third horses last time didn't disgrace the form at Cheltenham, finishing seventh and eighth respectively (El Cairos was fifth); needs to find more, clearly, but that's feasible.
Pulled clear with a subsequent winner at Down Royal in December (2m1f, good to yielding; 12-1) and changed hands for £120,000 the following month; could be interesting for a yard that's had a fine season with its bumper horses (5-10) and there have been once-raced winners of this race.
Limitations seemingly exposed since impressing at Fairyhouse in early December and he had no excuses when fourth in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown as he was favourably positioned throughout; lines of form from that race give him a bit to find with El Cairos but he's respected.
Out of unraced half-sister to Champion Hurdle winner Binocular; overcame his inexperience to win going away at Thurles (good) and, while improvement is necessary for this, he will be his trainer's first bumper runner in Britain for five years; respected.
Well bred; odds-on when making most to win his Irish point (heavy) and again strong in the market when emerging from off the pace to collect stylishly in a Wetherby bumper (soft); in good hands and it's impossible to gauge how smart he might be.
90,000euros 3yo; justified market confidence by only a neck at Huntingdon (good to soft; 2-1) but was good value for his narrow winning margin having been settled out the back, and the runner-up won easily next time; has a lot to find on the figures but he's promising.
Impressive point winner who hit the line strongly when the clearcut winner of a Naas bumper in December (good to yielding), posting a smart RPR in the process; the last two winners of this race were returning from over 100 days off the track; interesting.
25-1 at Doncaster but well on top in the closing stages despite a troubled run; the placed horses have since done little for the form but he's clearly useful and connections won this three years ago with Lookaway.
Hardly impressive in a four-runner race at Wincanton in November (good) and duly came up short in a Listed event here the following month, though in fairness he wasn't the only one left trailing behind a very smart winner; looks vulnerable unless he can raise his game.
Stable won this last year with a sharp improver and this gelding will need to be seen in a different light if he's to follow up his Kempton win on soft ground (produced an ordinary RPR); furthermore, this is a tough test for 4yos with plenty having come up short in the last decade.
Half-brother to dual Imperial Cup winner Go Dante; second in a Cheltenham Listed race on his debut and readily went one better at Kempton; looks more of a galloper than a quickener and his age group doesn't have a good record in this race.
