C&D winner Telepathique has taken very well to fences this season and is not opposed lightly but OSTRAVA DU BERLAIS (nap) is capable of much better than she showed at Ffos Las last week and is selected to resume the rapid progress she made in December. Old rivals Regal Renaissance and So Said I complete the shortlist.[Chris Wilson]
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Launched chasing career with emphatic wins over C&D (good) and at Warwick (2m, good to soft) in the autumn and was creditable second in a Listed race when returned to Warwick (2m4f, good to soft) last month; still has low mileage and features prominently in calculations.
Stayed on too strongly for So Said I when opening chase account at Warwick (2m4f, good to soft) in November and her subsequent fourth of 13 at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft; behind So Said I) was very respectable; shortlisted.
Came good for Venetia Williams with comfortable wins at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) and Taunton (2m2f, good) last month; did not threaten when ridden much more patiently at Ffos Las (2m, soft) last week but could still be ahead of her mark and remains very much of interest.
Just 1-9 over fences but ended last year with two seconds; jumped well and gave it a very good shot from the front at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) last time, and can make another bold bid here.
Off the mark over fences at 13th attempt, keeping on well to draw 12l clear over C&D (good to soft; first run after wind surgery) on New Year's Day; this race is much more competitive but she remains well handicapped on older form.
Shaped well before fading into well-held third at Leicester (2m6f, soft; refitted cheekpieces) last month, but has not been firing on all cylinders this season and is now 0-8 over fences; others have more pressing claims.
Began chasing career with two very respectable runs towards the end of 2024, latterly when third of five over C&D (2m5f, good to soft), but needs the first-time cheekpieces to prompt improvement in this much deeper race.
In good form in the autumn, most notably when winning gamely at Kelso (2m7f, good to soft) in October, but didn't fire at Cheltenham last month and needs a career-best performance to have any chance here; has undergone wind surgery.
0-8 over hurdles; beat three rivals to making winning chase debut over C&D (good to soft) in November, but managed only fourth of five here (just behind Melusine De Pail) last month and must improve today; swaps cheekpieces for first-time blinkers.
Placed twice since reverting to fences in November, latterly when keeping on to snatch modest third at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) last month, but might find this race too competitive.
Won two 3m1f chases last year and finished with a strong late burst to take third at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft) last month, splitting So Said I and Regal Renaissance, but others in the line-up appeal more.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
