The in-form Genghis can keep up the good work at the expense of standing dish Copeland, Royal Shakespeare, and Far Pavilions to name but three. Genghis has come on in leaps and bounds of late, defying an 11lb rise when brushing aside Tamarinbleu at Aintree under Tony McCoy last week to complete a hat-trick of wins this term. He has not treated his hurdles with respect so far, but apparently has schooled very well over fences, and should be one to follow in that sphere next season. In the meantime he may well pick up another decent prize over timber, and this year's Scottish Champion Hurdle is certainly up for grabs. His main rival appears to be Copeland who was not winning out of turn when successful 12 months ago, having finished third to Ulundi in 2001, and he was a faller a year later when travelling well. Martin Pipe's 10-year-old was well held at Aintree last time but saves his best efforts for round here. Royal Shakespeare disappointed badly in the Champion Hurdle, and although he is always thought of as a big-race winner waiting to happen, he always seems to find one or two too good. Far Pavilions is a fair dual-purpose performer, and if the ground were to dry up considerably, he would have a squeak, but on latest evidence, Genghis is the form horse and can make it four in a row before heading to Haydock for the Swinton Hurdle.
Rigmarole 50-1 Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 18th of 30, 26l behind Fontanesi at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Royal Shakespeare (FR) 50-1 Held up and took keen hold, headway 3rd, losing place when jumped slowly 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 16l behind Hardy Eustace at Cheltenham 2m hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Geos (FR) 33-1 Held up, ridden after 2 out, stayed on flat, never nearer, 8th of 30, 12l behind Fontanesi at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
The French Furze (IRE) 250-1 Held up in touch, slightly hampered 7th, headway after 9th, weakened approaching last, 8th of 12, 18l behind Inglis Drever at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Copeland 100-1 In touch, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace flat, 4th of 18, 12l behind Definate Spectacle at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs.
Dalaram (IRE) 33-1 Mid-division, effort approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 22nd of 25, 32l behind Essex at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in Feb.
Genghis (IRE) 10-1 Keen and not fluent, led to 2nd, led again 4th, forged away going to 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (A) gs beating Tamarinbleu by 6l, 20 ran.
Fontanesi (IRE) 16-1 Held up, pushed along after 5th, ridden and headway 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon weakened and eased, 11th of 20, 34l behind Genghis at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (A) gs.
Mondul (GER) 14-1 Held up, headway 6th, blundered and fell at the 8th in race won by Joes Edge at Aintree 2m 4f amt nov hcp chs (B) gs, 10 ran.
Calatagan (IRE) 100-1 Led 2nd, mistake 4th, headed and hampered approaching last, weakened quickly, 19th of 30, 26l behind Fontanesi at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Demi Beau 9-1 In touch, head way 5th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out and weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 17l behind Pardishar at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs.
Liberty Seeker (FR) 14-1 Always behind, weakening when hit 3 out, fell last fell at the last in race won by River City at Aintree 2m lst nov chs (A) sft in Oct, 4 ran.
Far Pavilions 6-1 Mistake 1st, in touch until weakened after 3 out, 11th of 19, 25l behind Medison at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Mar.
