Fundamentalist - still has big claims (Getty).
FAITH IN FUNDAMENTALIST
By Carl Llewellyn
Jessica Harrington's team have not been in the best of form but the signs have been better but if reigning Queen Mother Champion Chaser Moscow Flyer returned to his best he would have a great chance of winning the race again. Besides Kauto Star, the event has a very open look and if those two did not run up to scratch then you would not know what is going to win. I do think that Kauto Star is probably a worthy favourite, although you could argue that it is a little bit by default. With Moscow Flyer out of form getting on in years now and one or two not in the greatest of form, Kauto Star is the young improver in the line-up. I am closely connected with two horses in the race - Dempsey as assistant trainer and Fundamentalist as jockey. The former has been in good form all year and won at Sandown earlier in the season before finishing a very good second there under top weight. There is a little bit of a worry about him going left handed - he does seem better going right-handed - but did finish third at Aintree last season. Fundamentalist has not had a very good season and did not run very well at Wetherby first time out. He was obviously not himself but I was very happy with him next time at Lingfield until he got squeezed for room at one fence and came down. But he did give me a very good feel although it is a big ask without a decent run under his beslt. However, I have not lost faith in him. He has a great engine and if he came back to his best he would still have an outstanding chance.
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