Rembrandt enters marsh frame

Sir Rembrandt may be rerouted to Haydock for the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock after Robert Alner virtually ruled out a trip to the waterlogged-threatened meeting at Warwick.

Alner does not want to subject the 11-year-old to humping lots of weight over extreme distances in testing conditions.

Sir Rembrandt would have to give 10lb and upwards to all his rivals in the totesport.com Classic Chase at Warwick on Saturday, but the fixture is doubtful because of the wet weather.

“Even if they did race, it would be 50-50 as we’re 10lb more than anybody else,” said the Dorset trainer.

The £75,000 (€111,000) Peter Marsh Chase over the shorter distance of three miles at Haydock on Saturday week is now on the agenda.

“We are half aiming for the Peter Marsh but you have to be careful this time of the year with the weather,” Alner added.

“He goes on soft ground but I’d be concerned about running him on desperate ground especially giving lots of weight away and over a very long distance.”

Twice placed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Sir Rembrandt was beaten eight lengths by Leading Man, who was receiving 23lb in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day on his latest start.