tracked winner, mistake 6th, lost place 10th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up before 14th
made all, quickened halfway, challenged 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on gamely flat
tracked leaders, headway 13th, challenged 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to chase winner from next
not fluent, held up, blundered 9th, headway 12th, disputing 3rd when fell next
in touch, chased winner 10th, ridden and outpaced approaching 4 out, soon beaten, finished tired
held up, headway and in touch 10th, outpaced 5th, soon ridden, 4th & beaten when fell next
An interesting line-up for the Charlie Hall Chase with the vote going to Sir Rembrandt ahead of Lord Sam, Grey Abbey and Royal Emperor. The Robert Alner-trained eight-year-old, Sir Rembrandt, is still entitled to be improving despite the fact that he got to within half-a-length of Best Mate in a thrilling finish to this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. That officially gives an eight-pound and more advantage over his rivals today so, if he near his best, is clearly the one to beat. The highest rated of his opponents is Grey Abbey, who was fourth in this race two years ago, and rounded off last year's campaign with three straight wins, including the Scottish Grand National. Lord Sam is interesting as this high-class novice, who ended his latest campaign by landing a Grade 3 Chase in Ireland, rates as a fine prospect. Trainer Victor Dartnall is also delighted to be able to draw upon the services of Jim Culloty, who regularly schools the horse and who has won on him on on each of the three times that he has ridden him. Sue Smith's Royal Emperor, an excellent second in last season's Royal & SunAlliance Chase is another to grant all due respect in what is a race to savour. For the selection, then, once again we return to Sir Rembrandt.
