Armed with a 3lb pull and back up in distance, SCARFACE could well reverse last-time placings with Kotmask who warrants respect all the same. Martator remains of interest, while Flegmatik and Bad also have possibilities.[Steve Boow]
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Respectable second in the Old Roan at Aintree (2m4f) on sole outing this term; has the ability to go one better but remains a frustrating and low-yield performer, having won just one of his last 17 starts.
Beaten favourite in Grade 2 handicap at Kempton (2m) three weeks ago when bidding for a six-timer but should not be written off; very progressive at up to 2m4f otherwise since last March and he is 3-3 at Ascot.
Veteran who ran creditably at Cheltenham (3m5f) last month in a cross-country chase that he'd won a year earlier; likely to be tapped for finishing toe back down a mile in trip against younger rivals.
Useful mare who has shown career-best form this term, winning Listed event at Carlisle (2m4f) then third in C&D handicap; could go well but likely needs to find some further improvement to defy current mark.
Has form figures of 321, all at Ascot, this season; beat Scarface over 2m3f most recently, building on his 2m1f efforts behind Martator and taking chase record to 4-12; very solid claims upped further in distance.
Last three wins at Kempton (2m4f/3m) but has some respectable form at Ascot and showed signs of a revival in good handicap here (3m) last month; possibilities off current mark, provided he builds on that effort.
Benefited from drop back to Class 3 at Doncaster (2m3f) last time, taking strike-rate for current yard to 3-7; back up the weights and returns to significantly deeper waters, so seems unlikely to follow up.
Second-season chaser whose turn looks near, beaten just under 2l by Kotmask at this venue (2m3f) last time; gets a 3lb pull with that rival and is likely to be suited by this return to 2m5f; could well go one better.
Fairly useful novice chaser whose form dipped last time (2m); consistent at up to 2m4f otherwise in this sphere, winning twice and runner-up three times, but faces a stiffer task at this level.
Has form figures of 232 since switched to chasing; tad frustrating and is 0-11 in Britain but first-time blinkers may do the trick; record in cheekpieces over hurdles includes a narrow defeat here; 5lb out of weights.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
