Royal Rendezvous shows his true worth

The Willie Mullins trained Royal Rendezvous (4/6) sent favourite backers home happy from Downpatrick, as he ran out a very easy winner of the concluding K N Group INH Flat Race.

Successful in a point-to-point at Castletown-Geoghegan in April of last year for Virginia Considine, the son of King's Theatre was subsequently sold for 130,000 pounds.

He made his debut for current connections at the Galway Festival, but could only manage a disappointing fifth there when sent off a 4/7 chance.

Toward the head of affairs throughout today, the six-year-old victor eased clear from the two furlong pole, and went on to score by twenty-three lengths. Whoshotthesheriff (4/1) finished second under Lisa O'Neill for Gordon Elliott, while newcomer Hang In There (9s this morning and from 9/2 to 7/2 on-course) was another three parts of a length back in third.

Patrick Mullins, who was aboard the winner for his father Willie, said afterwards: "We got a little messed around at the start in Galway. It didn't go to plan and he ran very keen.

"Today we decided we would just let him use his stride and let him gallop and that's what we thought he might do in Galway.

"We think he is a very good horse. I'm not sure whether he'll go for a winners' bumper or he'll go jumping.

"I think what he shows us at home says he's a good horse, so hopefully onwards and upwards from there."

Royal Rendezvous is owned by Dr Peter Fitzgerald from Crumlin, Co Antrim, and he is the owner of Randox Laboratories, who of course sponsor the Grand National at Aintree.

STEWARDS REPORT

Mr M.J. O'Hare, rider of Peace Party trained by Desmond McDonogh, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount lost his action in the latter stages.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham