raced 3rd, closer in 3rd approaching straight, pushed along into 2nd before 2 out where not fluent, soon ridden, kept on after last, not trouble winner
tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent 11th, closer in 2nd approaching straight, travelled well to lead before 2 out, ridden after last, kept on well
led, not fluent 11th, pushed along approaching straight, ridden and dropped to 3rd before 2 out, weakened to 4th after 2 out, kept on same pace
in rear, some headway to 3rd after 2 out, no impression on leaders, ridden after last, kept on same pace
Lord Scoundrel is a model of consistency and though his victory at Thurles last month came over 2m2f he's given every indication that this trip will hold no terrors. He'll be as difficult to beat as ever though AVANT TOUT may have his measure. Willie Mullins' charge scored over this trip over hurdles before making a successful chasing debut. He wasn't far behind stable companion Outlander next time and ran very well when reverting to hurdles in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham. The Housekeeper won over the trip at Roscommon in May though hasn't progressed as expected but Fine Theatre couldn't have won any easier at Gowran last month and, as that was only his second start over fences, he can give the principals something to think about.
Lord Scoundrel (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Tracked leader, disputed briefly 5th, progress to dispute again 8th, led 4 out, pushed along and pressed last, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Thurles 2m 2f sft in Feb beating Tennis Cap (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Avant Tout (FR) 22-1 (10-12) Towards rear, outpaced 3 out, switched inside and headway between last 2, ridden and kept on same pace from last, never troubled leaders, 9th of 26, 4 1/2l behind Diamond King (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Fine Theatre (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Prominent, on terms before 4 out, led 2 out, went on from before last where slight mistake, stayed on well run-in, easily, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f hvy in Mar beating The Winkler (11-12) by 7 1/2l, 10 ran.
The Housekeeper (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division, slight mistake 6th, 6th halfway, ridden and no extra 2 out, 9th of 10, 32 1/4l behind Kris Kindle (10-2) at Ballinrobe 2m 4f hcp Yielding - Soft in Aug.
