in touch, ridden 5th, reminders 7th, weakening 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner from 4 out, every chance last, hard ridden and no extra flat
in touch, headway 9th and slightly hampered, ridden and every chance when fell 3 out
held up towards rear, took closer orde 6th, ridden 4 out, stayed on for poor 3rd approaching last
in touch when blundered and unseated rider 3rd
held up in rear, took closer order 6th, ridden next, mistake 8th, wkd 9th, soon well behind
tracked leader, lost place 7th, ridden after 4 out, left 3rd 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, not fluent 6th, led 4 out, ridden when hit 2 out, ran on well flat
led until edged right and mistake 9th and headed, weakening when mistake 2 out
Formerly known as the Victor Chandler Chase, the Tote have been well rewarded for stepping in to sponsor this event. Wahiba Sands is a high-class individual, who deserves to win a decent prize, but while he isn't quite good enough at level weights with the best, he looks to struggle giving weight away. Stablemate Seebald looks sure to have a say in this. A useful hurdler, he quickly made up into a far better chaser and went into the Arkle unbeaten in seven outings over fences. Although he had to play second fiddle to Moscow Flyer there, it was no disgrace and has come back this term probably better, as he showed when when just failing to give Young Devereaux 25lbs at Ascot. He meets the latter on 10lbs better terms here and should come out on top this time. The winner of four races back in 2001, including this event, Turgeonev has struggled with the Handicapper since then and still looks to high in the weights for the time being. Dark'N Sharp is interesting off this mark. He is still unexposed over fences, having had just six outings to date, so he is almost certainly capable of improvement. Another who deserves plenty of respect is Irish raider Fadoudal Du Cochet, whose trainer knows what it takes to win this race having won it back in 1998 with Jeffell. Even with the weights having gone up 8lbs, due to the defection of Florida Pearl, he is still just out of the handicap, but he must not be underestimated. However, in an open race Redemption gets the vote. He will be wearing blinkers for the first time, in an effort to sharpen him up, and he has apparently schooled well in them at home. He will be ridden by Andy Thornton, who knows him well and he is a hopeful choice to win a fascinating contest. He may have most to fear from Fondmort, who was very impressive when landing the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Now 9lbs higher he will have to improve again to defy his present mark, but there is no reason why he can't and he will be tough to beat.
