REX TO THE RESCUE looks the one to be on in the Marshall Handicap Chase at Leicester today. He comes into this race in excellent heart, having gradually been brought back to his best this term by shrewd trainer Robert Alner.
The nine-year-old put up a fine effort when going down narrowly in an amateur riders' event at Windsor last month. And he had no difficulty going one place better at Warwick 11 days later, leading from the fourth-last fence to score by an easy five lengths from Mr President.
Howgill and Mugoni Beach both also have claims at the weights but have not run since last summer. And the modest form of David Nichsolon's stable since the cold snap precludes great confidence in Shining Light's prospects.
A return to racing at three miles should bring a return to the winner's enclosure for Danger Baby after the Scania Approved Used Vehicles Chase at Windsor.
The seven-year-old looked a stayer of some promise last season, when he won a competitive three-mile novice handicap at Newbury before running an excellent third over a trip two furlongs further at Uttoxeter.
So it was surprising to see trainer Dai Williams return him to action over just two and a half miles at Lingfield last month. And the gelding shaped much more encouragingly than his remote third place that day might suggest as he was closing on the leaders until a mistake six fences from home and was eased right off thereafter.
Richard Dunwoody yesterday dismissed fears that One Man does not have the staying power for the Gold Cup.
Trainer Gordon Richards is still uncertain whether the brilliant grey will tackle the three miles two furlongs of the Gold Cup or step down to the two-mile Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Dunwoody, though, is convinced that One Man's past performances indicate no stamina deficiency.
The grey has already won the three mile two furlongs Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup albeit off a light-weight and the King George VI Chase over Sandown's testing three miles.
"It seems that he can stay one day and not the next, according to some people," he said.
"He had no problem staying in the Hennessy and he was running on strongly when he won the King George at Sandown.
"You can't put his failure in last year's Gold Cup down to lack of stamina, I'm convinced there wash something amiss."
