March 18

Strong Flow was an impressive winner of the Hennessy at Newbury prior to his injury and you would say that he would have won that day with an extra stone on his back for sure.

That would make him good enough to win a Gold up so it is now just a question of whether he is still as good as he was.

At the moment, the jury is out.

He has run two decent races this season but perhaps has to improve a little bit on them to get into contention in this race.

He is well capable of doing that and trainer Paul Nicholls seems very happy with him.

I can't see Beef Or Salmon doing any better than his fourth 12 months ago.

On soft or heavy ground he would have an outstanding chance but it looks like conditions will be too quick for him.

The fences also seem to get in the way too often for me.

A slowly-run race on soft conditions in Ireland seems to be when he comes into his own.

I can't see Celestial Gold winning as he will have to improve again on what he has shown this season.

He possibly could - but the way he will be ridden might see him sneak into the first three.

It would have to be a slight worry for Kicking King's chance after the news of his slight setback a fortnight ago.

If connections managed to keep him ticking along while he was having treatment hopefully the fitness will not have dropped off too much.

He is a high class and his King George win was a very good performance.

He did well to recover from the mistake at the last and keep going.

That was a fast-run race and he hit the front a long way from home but kept galloping.

I would think he will get this longer trip ridden with a little more restraint.

The way he put daylight between himself and the others in the King George, if that burst can be held on to for a bit longer then he will get home okay.

I am sure Graham Lee is looking forward to partnering Grey Abbey and he will get a great ride.

He amazingly still seems to be improving at 11 years old.

I think that he will run a creditable race but not end up in the first three as I can see a few coming past him down the hill on the final circuit.

Sir Rembrandt's form this season has been way below his best but Mick Fitzgerald schooled him the other day around Exeter racecourse and said he felt absolutely fantastic.

The trip and ground will suit and people quickly forget that he was within a length of Best Mate 12 months ago in this race.

If he comes back to that sort of level he could be the value in the race.

But if I could ride one, I would probably have to go for Kicking King.

	Carl Llewellyn Archive
	MARCH 17: KING TO BE CROWNED IN GOLD CUP
	MARCH 17: DOUMEN CHARGE THE BANKER
	MARCH 16: MOSCOW HAS CHAMPION CLASS
	MARCH 13: HARDY FOR CHAMPION REPEAT
	MARCH 8: GAZUMP STAKES FESTIVAL CLAIM
	FEBRUARY 23: AKILAK WIN THROWS UP QUESTION MARKS
	FEBRUARY 8: MAGERN BACK ON FESTIVAL TRAIL
	FEBRUARY 1: OLLIE CAN BOUNCE BACK
	JANUARY 24: IRISH TRIO TO GRACE FESTIVAL
	JANUARY 18: BARON'S BIG WARWICK BONUS