Hermes Baie and Theleme are old rivals and finished first and second over an extended 2m5f in a Grade 2 here last month in which L’AUTONOMIE finished third. But the latter, though facing stronger opposition than when romping to victory in this 12 months ago, is guaranteed to stay every inch of this trip and can put her mare’s allowance to good use again. Willie Mullins saddles three but Kemboy and Tornado Flyer are better known as chasers. Klassical Dream won the Champion Stayers at last month’s Punchestown Festival but ran four times here earlier in his career and failed to register a win.
Klassical Dream (FR) 11-10fav (11-10) Tracked leaders on outer, 4th halfway, headway travelling well early straight and led approaching last, soon asserted, ridden and kept on run-in, won at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr beating Ashdale Bob (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Kemboy (FR) 40-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd 3 out, disputed 2nd and closing on winner when bad mistake 2 out, soon 3rd, 4th inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 9, 15 3/4l behind Allaho (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
Tornado Flyer (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Rear of mid-division, slight mistake 2nd, towards rear and mistake at 8th, mistake 12th, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 7th of 9, 26l behind Allaho (11-10) at Punchestown 3m (1) Good - Yielding in Apr.
L'autonomie (FR) (11-0) 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Hermes Baie (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 5f in Apr.
Henri Le Farceur (FR) (9-10) won at Auteuil 2m 5f hcp in Apr beating Super Alex (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 20 ran.
Theleme (FR) (10-10) 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Hermes Baie (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 5f in Apr.
Hermes Baie (FR) (10-10) won at Auteuil 2m 5f in Apr beating Theleme (10-10) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Gallipoli (FR) (11-7) won at Compiegne 2m 3f lst in Apr beating Mot Pour Mot (10-10) by 3l, 7 ran.
