The leading contenders all go well from the front but ROCKINASTORM does not have to lead and this progressive chaser can improve his admirable strike-rate yet again. In d'Or lacks anything like his experience over fences but has to be feared given the potential he brings after winning well on his chase debut. A likely return to some form by Annsam puts him third on the list, just in front of Unanswered Prayers who has run well over longer trips on his last two outings.[Richard Austen]
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C&D winner in 2021 and at his peak when runaway winner from the front at Kempton (3m, soft; 7lb higher today) in January 2023; missed 545 days before this season and weakened right out of it in two hurdle races this autumn; latest appeared pretty discouraging but he usually needs a run or two to gain fitness and should be a lot more interesting back over fences today.
It was over 3m4f-4m1f that he recorded his superlative big-race hat-trick in February-April 2023 and he was fifth in last season's Grand National, so this trip is surely too short for him nowadays; 11lb lower than in the National but has been keeping a low profile this winter and that may well continue (well beaten on his visits here) despite the returning cheekpieces.
Dual winner over nearly 3m at Chepstow in December 2021; he's thrown in on that form but had only one run in each of the last two seasons, when soundly beaten back at Chepstow in December, so has a major question to answer over what ability remains on this return from another 406 days off.
Responded well to new trip in the Southern National at Fontwell (3m4f, good) in November, getting up late in the day, followed by a creditable third at Sandown (3m4f, soft) six weeks ago; back down in trip today but needs respect as an in-form contender in small field.
Progressed over hurdles last season and did so again when back from his summer break to make a winning chase debut in novice handicap at Taunton (upped to 3m, good to soft) in November; that was just a five-runner race but he made all in clearcut style and the runner-up won well himself three weeks later; up 6lb but surely has plenty more to offer.
Can make the running; has won five of his ten chases, including at Ludlow (near 3m2f, good) and Wetherby (extended 3m, soft) on his last two outings; pulled up last March on sole start here but that was 2m5f; going up another 3lb may underestimate him and he looks set for another bold show.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
