led, hit 9th, headed 3 out, weakened approaching last
prominent, reminders 12th, hit 13th, weakened quickly after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
behind, headway after 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway after 4th, weakened after 3 out, took poor 3rd flat
held up, headway 12th, led 3 out, clear approaching last, ridden out
in touch, mistake 10th, lost place 12th, towards rear when rider lost irons 4 out, never dangerous after
in touch, hit 9th, went 2nd 10th until hit 14th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, jumped slowly and lost place 2nd, headway 7th, weakened 12th
The highly regarded Lord Transcend can pick up where he left off last season and he is fancied to be too tough for the likes of Captain Corelli and Hours, while Sir Rembrandt has to be feared on the best of his efforts but he has something to prove after failing to complete in his last two starts. The first-time visor will need to do something special to revitalise him today. I Hear Thunder is also better than he showed last time and is expected to appreciate this flatter track if nothing else. He acts well with cut in the ground and it will come as no surprise to see him return to form this afternoon. Hours has missed a couple of engagements lately and his well being has to be taken on trust. However, Martin Pipe is sure to have him at the top of his game for his reappearance and he cannot confidently be ruled out. He does, however, need to run much better than he did in this last year and, as he may an outing or two to put him straight, he looks opposable at this stage of the season. As do Schuh Shine and Naunton Brook, who face tough tests from out of the weights. Captain Corelli has claims on the best of his form and, after a fair effort at Cheltenham last time, he may be the main beneficiary if the selection fails to deliver. However, Lord Transcend - a previous course and distance winner - does look the most logical choice and this lightly raced grey can cement his position as a horse to follow with bold display this afternoon; just ask Tania Stevenson if in any doubt.
Lord Transcend (IRE) 9-4fav (10-4) Led after 1st, mistake 13th, shaken up to go clear after last, eased towards finish, won at Haydock 3m hcp chs Grd 2 (A) hvy in Jan beating First Gold (11-7) by 10l, 7 ran.
Sir Rembrandt (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Chased leaders until after 5 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Innox (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Horus (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, mistake 12th, weakened next, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Sleeping Night (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (B) gd in Apr.
Malek (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) In touch, led 3rd, mistake 8th, headed next, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Kock De La Vesvre (10-4) at Perth 3m hcp chs (B) sft in Apr, 9 ran.
Captain Corelli 9-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, mistake 4th, mistake 11th, headway approaching 3 out, one pace and no chance with leaders when blundered last, 8th of 16, 21l behind Innox (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Nov.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, not fluent 17th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Innox (10-6) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Nov.
Schuh Shine (IRE) 10-3 (10-10) Soon pressed leader, hit 5th, led soon after 9th, 10 lengths clear last, weakened run-in, all out, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Nov beating Durlston Bay (10-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Naunton Brook 10-1 (10-8) Led to 10th, lost place 14th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Iris Bleu (11-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (A) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
