This can go to the progressive 7yo DJELO (nap), who was extremely impressive in the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon last month. Ahoy Senor (second choice) has a big chance in receipt of 8lb from his main form rivals, if he's back on song. Irish raider Journey With Me is another interesting contender.[Ben Hutton]
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Classy novice last season who has been even better this term, going close in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter (2m1f, good) before easy win from Protektorat in the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon (2m4f, soft); half-brother to a 3m2f winner and this progressive 7yo is respected now up in trip.
Won a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse (extended 2m3f, heavy) last April and travelled well when failing to stay in the Grade 1 Punchestown Gold Cup (3m1f, good to yielding) in May; likely to have needed his November comeback run; represents top Irish trainer and this trip may be a good fit; chance.
Won the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown (1m7f, heavy) in December 2023 and scored by 7l on reappearance in Newbury handicap (2m4f, good to soft) in November; however, his form has to go to a new level today and he also needs to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Cheltenham in December.
Two-time Grade 1 winner (soft/good to soft) who wasn't at his best for Grade 2 win at Ascot (2m5f, good) on reappearance in November, but could improve for that run; excluding last April's Aintree flop, the only horses to beat him since October 2022 have been Banbridge and Shishkin; key player.
Second in this last year (at Lingfield) and secured third Grade 1 win in the Ryanair (2m4f, soft) in March; this 10yo hasn't been at his very best this term and was no match for Djelo in the Peterborough Chase (2m4f, soft), but today's longer trip could help and this class act can't be ruled out.
10yo who has won just one of his last 14 starts and was pulled up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last time; however, conditions were very testing and prior to that he was an eyecatching third on reappearance in the Old Roan Handicap at Aintree (2m4f, good); close second in the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree (3m1f, soft) last April and has leading form claims on today's terms.
Made it 3-3 when winning easily on his chase debut for Willie Mullins at Navan (2m4f, heavy) in December 2023; could be anything but he's been handed a very tough assignment on his first start for 407 days and others have far less to prove; has moved yards (still owned by JP McManus).
