disputed lead early, tracked leader and 2nd halfway, closer 3 out and headway to lead approaching next, drew clear after 2 out, kept on well run-in, easily
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along and no impression approaching straight, kept on one pace from 2 out
prominent and led from 2nd, pressed after 3 out and headed approaching next, soon no impression on winner, no extra
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out and soon no extra, weakened and eased, well behind when jumped left last, tailed off
This has been a great race for Willie Mullins who has won six of the last eight. He saddles half of the four entries in this small but select field. Easy Game has twice finished behind Royal Rendezvous recently, first when beaten a length when attempting to concede 4lb in the Galway Plate then when unseating when there with every chance three out in a Grade 2 at Gowran. The winner had a battle royal with Hardline in the latter event, just getting the better of Gordon Elliott's charge in the closing stages, and a 5lb pull swings things in favour of the runner-up. FAKIR D'OUDAIRIES has a tremendous record at the highest level winning Grade 1's at Fairyhouse and Aintree and finishing second in championship races at the last two Cheltenham festivals. He has a fine record after a break and, as the youngest in the line-up, has the most scope for further progress.
Fakir D'Oudairies (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, closer in 3rd 7 out, 2nd 5 out, ridden in 3rd before 3 out, no impression entering straight, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 18 1/2l behind Clan Des Obeaux (11-12) at Punchestown 3m 1f (1) Yielding in Apr.
Easy Game (FR) 7-4 (11-10) Chased leaders, soon 3rd, slight mistake 10th, closed from 4 out, impeded when bad mistake and unseated rider 3 out, at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) gd in Oct.
Royal Rendezvous (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Prominent, led 5th, joined before 8th, led narrowly from 4 out, jumped slightly right and slightly bumped with rival 3 out and headed, switched left between last 2, led again narrowly last, strongly pressed and stayed on best run-in, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) gd in Oct beating Hardline (11-5) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Hardline (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Waited with, soon raced in 4th, slight mistake 9th, closed approaching straight, led after 3 out, narrowly headed last, every chance and kept on well without quite matching winner run-in, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Royal Rendezvous (11-5) at Gowran Park 2m 4f (1) gd in Oct.
