Commanche tops Post 19 Irish raider Commanche Court heads 19 horses left in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton on Saturday following today`s confirmation stage. But Ted Walsh`s nine-year-old, runner-up last season, will now shoulder top-weight of 12st after stablemate Rince Ri, Shooting Light, Marlborough and Legal Right were all taken out of the Stg£90,000 three-mile contest. And the trainer has expressed doubt over his runner`s participation and he may well head to an alternative engagement at Naas on Sunday. A rise of 9lb in the weights means Paul Nicholls` Ad Hoc will now carry 11-8, while Great Yorkshire Chase winner Red Striker has 11-6. The latter`s trianer Norman Mason has also left in Red Ark (10-6). Dark Stranger (10-5), third last year, is one of two representatives for champion trainer Martin Pipe, along with Cadougold, who carries 10-4. Tom George has left in Tremallt (10-12), who ran well in this race last year before falling at the last. Nicky Henderson could be represented by Martell Grand National hopeful Goguenard (10-7), and Tote Gold Cup entry Lord Of The River (10-1), who has not run since finishing second to Looks Like Trouble in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham in 1999. Ferdy Murphy has Luzcadou on 10-1, the nine-year-old finished a close second over two and a half miles at Newcastle on Saturday.
