Verdict

Batcio finished runner-up in a bumper at Punchestown last time but is one of the more exposed and ROYAL RENDEZVOUS makes most appeal. The latter has joined Willie Mullins’ since beating subsequent hurdles winner Theclockisticking eight lengths in a point-to-point last year. Exit Poll has every chance on his debut third at Down Royal in May and is preferred to Russian Dancer while Dermot Weld’s Neptune has to be of interest on his debut as he’s related to a host of winners and a brother to Irish 1000 Guineas winner Nightime.

Formwatch

Ishyaboi (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and no impression approaching 4 out, no extra after 3 out, behind and pulled up before next, at Limerick 2m mdn sft in Dec.

Minstrel Song 66-1 (11-4) Mid-division on inner, pushed along and no impression after 4 out, no extra before 2 out, 10th of 16, 30l behind Gaillimh Abu (11-4) at Roscommon 2m 4f mdn gd in Jul.

Only Whispers (IRE) Scorpion gelding out of Dame Edith.

Peace Party (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Mid-division, travelling well 3f out, pushed along and no impression in 7th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 8th of 12, dist behind Rapid Escape (11-11) at Down Royal 2m sft in Nov.

Royal Rendezvous (IRE) 5-4 (11-11) Tr ldrs, 5th 1/2way, prog into 2nd 2out, ld app last, kow run-in, won at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m mdn sft in Apr beating Theclockisticking (12-2) by 8l, 8 ran.

Zero Ten (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Led, went on from over 4f out, reduced lead from over 2f out, headed before straight, soon no extra, 6th of 16, 16 1/4l behind Poet Power (11-7) at Galway 2m 1f Yielding in Jul.

Bythesametoken (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders disputing 3rd, ridden entering straight, soon weakened, last of 7, 18 3/4l behind Espanito Bello (11-7) at Naas 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan.

Construction (IRE) Mastercraftsman gelding out of Golden Legacy.

Curramore (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Towards rear, no impression from 4f out, never a factor, 6th of 8, dist behind Balliniska Band (11-7) at Naas 2m hvy in Feb.

Durity Dansili gelding out of Lady Darshaan.

Exit Poll (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Mid-division on outer and took keen hold, headway 4f out, close 4th 3f out, ridden in close 3rd under 2f out, disputed lead briefly 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, dropped to 3rd close home, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Jerandme (11-7) at Down Royal 2m gd in May.

King Kingston (IRE) Yeats gelding out of Bois De Citron.

Neptune (IRE) Galileo colt out of Caumshinaun.

Russian Dancer (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Raced in rear, progress into closer 6th over 2f out, ridden on outer over 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 5l behind Queens Boulevard (11-7) at Sligo 2m 2f gd in Jul.

Oh So Frisky (FR) Al Namix M out of Change Partner.

Batcio (FR) 7-1 (12-0) Mid-division on outer, 7th 4f out, headway into 2nd and ridden entering straight, no impression on winner 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Advantage Point (12-0) at Punchestown 2m gd in Jun.

Byron Vandou (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 10, dist behind Macgiloney (12-0) at Bellewstown 2m 1f gf in Jul.

Free Citizen Phoenix Reach gelding out of Peach Of A Citizen.