Sir Rembrandt looks a classy sort

Racing: Sir Rembrandt can secure his place in the line-up for chasing's blue riband with victory in the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham today.

Still only lightly-raced for an eight-year-old, the Robert Alner-trained gelding remains on the upgrade despite a narrow defeat by Bindaree in the Coral Welsh National last time.

That was a valiant effort under a big weight on ground and over a trip which probably stretched his stamina. An extended three miles and a furlong today will suit much better with the ground promising to ride on the easy side of good.

Sir Rembrandt was the subject of an ante-post plunge for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury but came to grief at the third fence.

That's the only blot on his record, though, and his victory next time at Chepstow in the John Hughes Rehearsal Chase bore the hallmark of a class animal and one worthy of going on to take his place in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

Dessie Hughes sends over Guilt and Hardy Eustace and could enjoy a memorable day. The former tackles the Juvenile Novices' Hurdle, while Hardy Eustace returns to the scene of his greatest triumph for the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle.