LORD TRANSCEND, an emphatic winner of the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (2.10) at Haydock 12 months ago, will be hard to beat as he attempts a repeat success today.
Lightly raced for a nine-year-old, Lord Transcend has shown bags of ability in winning six of his ten starts, reaching a high level of form over hurdles before switching to the bigger obstacles two years ago. He seems to go particularly well here, beating Deano’s Beeno in a grade two hurdle two years ago and then trouncing First Gold by ten lengths in this race last season.
He shaped as though just in need of the run when making a most encouraging comeback, again over these fences, finishing runner-up to Captain Corelli at the start of last month. A bold front-runner who jumps well, he is strongly fancied to make the most of the 19lb he receives from Kingscliff.
Despite a lacklustre effort when pulled up in the King George at Sandown on Boxing Day, Kingscliff disputes favouritism for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. If back in the same form that saw him beat Beef Or Salmon over course and distance in November, he will have claims despite his welter burden, but he is increasingly looking like a horse who needs everything to fall right and he is readily opposed.
The Commhoist Logistics Champion Hurdle Trial (1.40) features some interesting Cheltenham candidates, with Al Eile taken to cope best with the testing conditions. He found this two-mile trip on the sharp side when seventh to Hardy Eustace in the Champion Hurdle last March, before showing his true ability when seeing off Inglis Drever over an extra half-mile at Aintree. He has a good record when fresh, so lack of a recent run is not a concern, and with this race likely to turn into a real slog his stamina may see him home.
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Faasel will not mind the ground but does not always look the most determined in a driving finish, while Arcalis won on soft going at Newcastle last time, but connections have expressed concern that this even more testing ground may prove too much for him. Defeat here would certainly not rule him out of Cheltenham glory, as conditions are likely to be much faster there.
Percussionist, a classy but quirky stayer on the Flat, has taken well enough to the winter game and can gain a third win from four starts over jumps in the Anglo Irish Bank Novices’ Hurdle (1.10). With Nous Voila and Leo’s Luckyman likely to ensure that this is run at a true pace, his stamina should be brought into play.
The best bet of the day is Nas Na Riogh in the GasForce Handicap Chase (2.05) at Wincanton. A winner over this course and distance last season, she won at Exeter on her reappearance, travelling much the best through the race but only just lasting home over nearly three miles. This shorter trip and easier track will suit her much better and she can make light of a 6lb rise in the weights.
TOTESCOOP 6
Leg 1: Nas Na Riogh (2.05 Wincanton)
Leg 2: Saltango (2.35 Wincanton)
Leg 3: Dom D’Orgeval (2.50 Lingfield)
Leg 4: Lord Olympia (3.10 Wincanton)
Leg 5: Patricksnineteenth (3.25 Lingfield)
Leg 6: Bonny Grey (3.45 Wincanton)
Bonus fund: £50,792.