led, jumped right at times, mistake 10th, jumped right 4 out, ridden and headed next, 3rd and no impression on winner 2 out, regained 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, not trouble winner
rear of mid-division, slightly hampered 1st, bad mistake and unseated rider 8th
tracked leaders, 2nd from 9th, ridden in 2nd after 3 out, 3rd and mistake 2 out, soon no impression on winner, 5th at last, no impression
tracked leader in 2nd, fell 9th
tracked leaders in 3rd, lost position at 9th, 6th and ridden after 3 out, went 4th and no impression on leaders 2 out, went 2nd and mistake at last, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along in 4th after 3 out, ridden in moderate 5th 2 out, kept on one pace
in rear, not fluent 10th, closer in 6th 4 out, effort on inner after 3 out when short of room and checked, ridden in 6th 2 out, no impression
in touch in rear, headway from 5 out, led 3 out, went clear travelling well 2 out, soon pushed along, stayed on strongly run-in, easily
towards rear, progress 10th, close 4th when fell 11th
Paul Townend was on board Royal Rendezvous when the veteran won this last year but deserts him this time for Ha D'Or, who ran in the Arkle at Cheltenham without ever looking like getting involved. This is a massive drop in class while LIEUTENANT COMMAND has been racing in strong handicap company and battled on well to land a Grade B at Leopardstown last month. Liam McKenna's claim could prove decisive and Ilikedwayurthinkin, who was just over four lengths behind him in that latter event, looks held. Mark Walsh chooses the latter over Andy Dufresne, who is taking a drop in grade and is better than form figures suggest.
Royal Rendezvous (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, slight mistake 3rd and dropped to rear, moderate 4th halfway, left 3rd 5 out, soon no extra, left remote 2nd at last, 2nd of 4, dist behind Easy Game (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f (1) sft in Apr.
Andy Dufresne (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Held up towards rear, mistake 1st, some headway on inside 3 out, no impression, well beaten before 2 out, 8th of 19, 27 1/4l behind Maskada (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Lieutenant Command (FR) 18-1 (11-7) Rear of mid-division, 6th halfway, went 4th after 3 out and left 3rd next, pushed along and led approaching last, pecked slightly last and headed, ridden and kept on well run-in to lead closing stages, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Mar beating Mars Harper (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Ha D'Or (FR) 66-1 (11-7) Held up off the pace in last trio, closer and pushed along in 5th after 3 out, left modest 4th at the last, lost that placing close home, 5th of 9, 28 1/2l behind El Fabiolo (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Gallant John Joe (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 10th after 8th, stayed on after 2 out, ridden into 2nd closing stages, kept on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 17, 3l behind Verdant Place (10-4) at Punchestown 3m hcp Yielding in Feb.
Ilikedwayurthinkin (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, headway to dispute lead 8th, left in lead 2 out, pushed along and headed early straight, 3rd and ridden approaching last, no impression run-in, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Lieutenant Command (11-7) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Mar.
Egality Mans (FR) 33-1 (10-11) Towards rear, slow 2nd, fell 6th, at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Yielding in Feb.
Hereditary Rule (IRE) 80-1 (10-6) Always behind, 13th of 29, dist behind Bill Baxter (10-4) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
The Little Yank (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up in touch in rear, 4th halfway, ridden and no impression after 3 out, fell 2 out, at Cork 3m (1) Yielding in Apr.
