Rhythm King is in good heart at present and can prove too strong for Tupgill Turbo and Jac An Ree. As is usually the case at the start of the hunter-chase season, most line up on the back of point-to-point exploits, and it is sometimes unwise to steam in on one with a string of ones to its name. However on this occasion it is hard to escape the claims of Rhythm King who was disappointing when last seen under rules in 2003. Since being campaigned between the flags he has been extremely profitable to follow, having notched 12 wins in the past couple of seasons, and he has certainly started where he left off by winning his last three points, the latest of which came at Charing early this month. The going was fast then but he does handle this ground, and with regular pilot Godfrey Maundrell again in the plate, he should have too much strength and class for the younger Tupgill Turbo who seems to have adapted well since returning from a spell in Ireland. Jac An Ree has not been seen since beating a small field at Catsfield last April, while the rest are up against it, so Rhythm King should be capable of making a successful return to fences.
Asthefellowsaid (IRE) 3-1 (12-5) pulled up in race won by Monarch Ruler (12-0) at Marks Tey 3m ptp gd in Feb, 13 ran.
Carricklee Boy (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened before 5 out, behind when pulled up in race won by Climate Control (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 7f hts chs gs in Dec, 17 ran.
Jac An Ree (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) 2nd of 7, 4l behind Persian King (12-7) at Detling 3m ptp gd in Apr.
Owen's Pet (IRE) 66-1 (11-11) Behind, headway 10th, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Swincombe (11-9) at Folkestone 3m 1f hts chs (6) gs in Feb, 11 ran.
Rhythm King 4-6fav (12-5) won at Charing 3m ptp gf in Feb beating Cape Stormer (12-5) by 8l, 7 ran.
Tupgill Turbo 5-4fav (12-5) won at Marks Tey 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Moss Campian (12-5) by 4l, 5 ran.
