Paul Nicholls has an excellent record in the Pendil and RUBAUD is taken to give him his 14th win in this Grade 2. He is untested at the trip but stayed on well when a fine second in the Grade 2 Kingmaker at Warwick a fortnight ago. Imperial Saint has thrived over fences this season, winning three handicaps at Aintree, and he could be the standout danger. Irish raider Ashdale Bob is another interesting contender.[Ben Hutton]
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10yo who returns from a break and possibly isn't the force of old (3m Grade 1 hurdle runner-up in December 2022) but he's won when back over fences for his last two starts, most recently a Grade 3 novice at Galway (2m2f, good) last August; not ruled out in view of his back-class.
Made it 2-6 over fences with Grade 2 novice win at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in November; well beaten in Newbury Grade 2 since but he's better than that and the Wincanton form reads well; 1-1 here over hurdles; not ruled out.
Highly talented hurdler (course winner) who won a Grade 2 novice on his chase debut at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) in December, capitalising on the leader's final-fence blunder; made mistakes and faded when soundly beaten in heavy-ground 2m4f Grade 1 at Sandown three weeks ago; drops back down in grade today but needs to build on the Ascot form if he's to come out on top.
Lightly raced 7yo who won a four-runner handicap on his chase debut at Ascot (2m3f, good) in November; pulled up over hurdles then fences the next twice (both 3m) and, while he could benefit from this drop back in trip; today's race is a tough one in which to try to bounce back.
He's won three good handicaps at Aintree (2m-2m4f, good/good to soft) during this novice campaign and again ran really well when third in Cheltenham handicap (2m4f, soft) four weeks ago; big chance on today's terms.
Three hurdle wins here (2m, good; Grade 2/Listed) and, after a very tough task here on chase debut (well beaten when falling), he was a highly creditable second in a Grade 2 at Warwick (2m, soft) a fortnight ago; untested at today's trip but he stayed well on the Flat in France, and kept on strongly last time; top trainer has won this 13 times; leading claims if seeing it out.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
