THAT'S RHYTHM is best when fresh and can return from a 67 day break with a win here, while The Ring can give him most to do. The selection has the stamina to win over 3m 1f in an Aintree handicap hurdle last season, so it is unlikely that he would have been at his best on two of his last three chases, when racing over 2m 4f. As a result he is unexposed over a trip this far and his mark of 125 looks a handy one. He is unproven on genuine soft ground but as long as there is good in the description he should be fine and with a good pilot the bonus we will side with him. The Ring is certainly short list material and stays very well, but he was held from a 6lb lower mark last time and his chance would be increased by soft or heavy ground. Paul Nicholls allowed Sandown handicap chase winner The Luder to leave him for Chris Bealby during last year, but the gelding's form on two starts for his new trainer has been poor, failing to complete on either count. The yard is now going well though, he stays well and handles good to soft, so a return to his best would be no surprise and he can get involved. Ryminster stays day and nite but looks in the grip of the assessor, and the same can be said of the veteran Hidden Bounty, while Trisons Star looks a better proposition after a drop in the weights with conditions in his favour. It won't be pretty as they slug this one out and That's Rhythm gets the nod.
The Luder (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Prominent, stumbled 1st, mistakes, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Hoopy (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Nov, 17 ran.
That's Rhythm (FR) 5-4fav (11-3) Tracked leader, led 9th, headed approaching 5 out, ridden 4 out, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Mill Side (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
The Ring (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden and headed after last, kept on until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Orki Des Aigles (10-6) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Stagecoach Diamond 20-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 5th of 11, 27l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-2) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Montevideo 40-1 (10-11) Behind, reminders 6th, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 23l behind Akilak (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.
Another Rum (IRE) 125-1 (10-0) Always struggling, tailed off when blundered 2 out, 12th of 20, well behind Notre Pere (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Rare Society (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) In touch, blundered 10th and 15th, soon lost place, no danger after, 7th of 13, 45l behind Bellaney Jewel (10-6) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Darina's Boy 11-1 (10-6) In touch when blundered and unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Bellaney Jewel (10-6) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Hidden Bounty (IRE) 5-1fav (10-10) Held up, headway approaching 15th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Bannister Lane (11-12) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Ryminster 8-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, headway 6 out, chased leading pair approaching 4 out, hit last, soon weakened, 3rd of 9, 15l behind King Barry (11-12) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
Trisons Star (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Led to 7th, chased leaders, led again 10th, headed 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 11, 15l behind Gidam Gidam (11-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Matmata de Tendron (FR) 11-2 (10-7) Led, headed 3 out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Royal Mackintosh (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
