held up in 4th, closed up from 12th, blundered next, challenged from 2 out, ridden to lead last, wandered, stayed on flat
raced in 3rd, closed 12th, led 13th to 17th, regained lead 3 out, ridden and headed last, one pace flat
jumped right, made most from 2nd to 13th, regained lead 17th to 4 out, stayed challenging, every chance when wandered 2 out, close up approaching last, weakened under pressure flat
led until 2nd, tracked leader, mistake 9th, jumped right 15th, came wide and led narrowly 4 out to 3 out, weakened soon after next
Parsons Legacy makes plenty of appeal on these terms, while Cornish Rebel has a better completion rate than either The Bajan Bandit and Fork Lightning, so he gets the nod as the main danger to the mount of Richard Johnson this afternoon. Fork Lightning has won here in the past and gets on well with Robert Thornton. However, he comes here on the back of a couple of unfortunate experiences from his starts this season and it remains to be seen if his confidence has been affected. The Bajan Bandit also came to grief in his latest start over fences but has been seen out over hurdles since. Still, he has never impressed in any of his five previous visits to Cheltenham, so looks a risky betting proposition. Conversely, Cornish Rebel has run some good races at Prestbury Park and looks sure to be suited by the conditions. He underwent a wind operation during the summer and was entitled to need the run when he was brushed aside by the selection when they met in the Hennessey last November. However, Parsons Legacy receives a stone in weight today and that could be the telling factor when push comes to shove on this testing ground.
Cornish Rebel (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders next, soon no impression, 7th of 15, 17l behind D'Argent (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Dec.
The Bajan Bandit (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Always behind, 5th of 10, 18l behind United (10-1) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Fork Lightning (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) In touch when badly hampered brought down at the 3rd in race won by Billyvoddan (10-12) at Ascot 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
Parsons Legacy (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Led to 5th, made front rank until weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 16, 29l behind State of Play (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
