jumped well, made all, stayed on strongly from 3 out, clear approaching last
held up towards rear, jumped slowly 4th, steady headway from 13th, just over 2 lengths 4th 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, 2 lengths 3rd when mistake 4 out, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders until lost place 6th, not fluent 10th, ridden after 12th, mistake next, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 14th
held up and behind, reminder after 3rd and 6th, some headway on outside after 11th, ridden after 14th, soon weakened, mistake 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, not fluent and reminder 5th, took closer order after 11th, reminders after 12th, outpaced and lost place after 15th, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd near finish
tracked winner, reminder after 11th, not fluent 14th, ridden after next, no impression after 2 out
For the second year running Sir Rembrandt ran right up to his best when reaching a place in the Gold Cup but Robert Alner's gelding is not the most straight-forward of animals and a better bet may be Grey Abbey, who gets the vote ahead of Thisthatandtother. The last mentioned just outstayed Fondmort in arguably the race of festival in the Daily Telegraph Chase but the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding has yet to prove his effectiveness over today's trip so he is probably best watched. Crystal d'Ainay should have no problems with the trip and has reportedly schooled well but lack of experience over larger obstacles is an obvious concern for Alan King's six-year-old. First Gold misses Saturday's Grand National in preference for a crack at this race that he won in 2001 and again in 2003. Francois Doumen's gelding is impossible to rule out on a course that suits but his recent form has been below what is normally required and preference is for Grey Abbey. The 11-year-old probably found Cheltenham coming too soon for him following a troubled preparation and, considering that, he actually did well to finish fifth behind Kicking King. An assured jumper, the front running grey should be able to gain ample compensation here. Old Vic, who again made mistakes at Cheltenham, looks the pick of Martin Pipe's two runners ahead of Tiutchev but Grey Abbey is a likeable sort and is taken to resume winning ways.
Grey Abbey (IRE) 15-2 Led to 13th, led again 15th, headed 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 15, 22l behind Kicking King at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Thisthatandtother (IRE) 9-2 Chased leaders, went 2nd 11th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Mar beating Fondmort by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Tiutchev 50-1 Mid-division, mistake 9th, weakened 16th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Kicking King at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar, 15 ran.
Jim (FR) 7-4fav Made all, mistake 4 out, stayed on strongly from last, won at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs hvy in Mar beating Lord Who by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Sir Rembrandt (IRE) 12-1 Tracked leaders, led 13th to 15th, not fluent 16th, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 15, 13l behind Kicking King at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar.
Our Vic (IRE) 7-4fav Chased leaders, pecked 11th, mistake 14th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Thisthatandtother at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Crystal d'Ainay (FR) 10-1 Held up in touch, hampered 7th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, well behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Inglis Drever at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
First Gold (FR) 14-1 Held up in rear, not fluent 12th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Supreme Prince at Newbury 2m 4f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
