prominent, led 8th, headed 14th, led again soon after 16th, pushed clear approaching last, pushed out, comfortable
with leader, led 1st, headed next, led briefly again 16th, ridden from 3 out to chase winner, no impression
led, headed approaching 2nd, led again 6th, headed approaching 8th, hit 12th, ridden 14th, weakened 15th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
held up, not jump well, pulled up before 12th
tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed approaching 6th, stayed prominent until led again 14th, headed 16th, weakened 17th, poor 3rd when unseated rider 3 out
held up rear, steady headway from 14th, every chance when fell 4 out
An intriguing renewal of this Grade 2 contest as most of the field come here with a little to prove for one reason or another and the vote goes to Truckers Tavern, who gets the verdict over Therealbandit and Sir Rembrandt. The selection put in a career highlight when chasing home Best Mate in last season's Gold Cup and is given the chance today to enlighten his doubters as to why he has been the subject of strong ante post support for this year's crown. The Ferdy Murphy-trained nine-year-old faces no easy task though, and cases can be made for all the rest of the field on the pick of their form. Rince Ri, the winner of this race in 2002, arrives here as the chosen representative of the Ted Walsh stable. The son of Orchestra gave his old adversary Florida Pearl the most to do over an inadequate trip at Fairyhouse last weekend, where it can only be assumed that the run has done his fitness the power of good. The fact that he is preferred over Comanche Court is clue enough as to how highly he is rated by his trainer, and a bold bid is expected from the mount of Ruby Walsh. Valley Henry has also got to be a serious contender as he travels supremely well when he is on song. He improved steadily last season and already has the form in the book to win this doing handstands should he so wish. However, he also has a poor completion rate and his jumping remains a concern after his lack of concentration has seen him fail to get round in two of his three starts this term. He looks opposable. Other Gold Cup pretenders Sir Rembrandt and Therealbandit arrive here as the least exposed at this level and are also worthy of plenty of respect. The former has plenty of ability and is useful in that he is stayer who can adapt to his races with a fair turn of foot. He will be a popular choice with many but he does have a little to prove in what will be his stiffest test to date. Therealbandit has a lack of experience at this level counting against him. His connections are confident that he will take the step up in class in his stride though and he is one to look at with the Festival in mind for ante post players as well. Jair Du Cochet is on a retrieval mission after his dire performance in the King George last month and he now has a little to prove. Unfair as it seems, the fact that his trainer has kept faith with Jacques Ricou is likely to ensure that he goes off at fair odds and it is worth bearing in mind for each way backers that he did act well at the course in the SunAlliance Chase, despite his jockey, last term. Mention of the Festival brings us back to Truckers Tavern, who came out of his Wetherby slip-up unscathed and bouncing, if gallops reports are to be believed. The son of Phardante is a straightforward character who should grant Tony Dobbin a smooth passage around this daunting course. However, considering that he got better the further he went on his last visit to Prestbury Park, it is his proven ability to act on the track and handle the predicted going that makes Truckers Tavern the one they have to beat today.
