Multiple course winner NO RISK DES FLOS (nap) faced an impossible task against a high-class novice at Stratford in the autumn but gets the vote here. He has become well handicapped. Genois needs to rebound from a duff effort last time but is a contender if judged on his earlier C&D win.[Chris Wilson]
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Made excellent progress for Mark Walford in 2022, winning five chases, but lightly raced and disappointing over the last couple of years; absent since May and needs to have been revitalised by switch to new stable.
A class act in his prime and proved he retained a significant chunk of ability when close third in valuable Ascot handicap (3m, good to soft) last February; disappointed when favourite at Cheltenham last month (reportedly unsuited by the undulating track) but has slipped to a very tempting mark.
Has very mixed record since latest win in November 2022 and jumping is often a major issue but he was very unlucky not to score at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last March and can't be ruled out off current mark.
Had modest strike-rate for Enda Bolger in Ireland but came good for current stable at second attempt, in small-field C&D contest in November; ran no race at Newbury later that month but is a contender if back on song.
Four course wins, including this race in 2023; unseated rider on latest outing but ran pretty well behind a high-class novice in October, after a break, and returns here on a very good mark; strongly considered.
Won twice over C&D (soft) last February and returned from layoff with two pretty good runs in the autumn (2m3f/2m4f); current mark is workable and the return to this track is an obvious plus; probably won't be far away.
2-10 over fences; no match for comfortable winner when second at Haydock (2m, heavy) last month and remains on a fairly tough mark but today's longer trip probably suits him better; considered each-way.
Won four chases in 2023 (2m-2m5f) but lost his way last year; well handicapped now and will probably turn things around at some stage but others in this field have much less to prove.
Usually runs over 3m+ but his latest win was gained over 2m4f, when dominating small field from the front at Carlisle (soft) last March; not at best on either appearance this season, though, and might find this race too competitive.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
