Having narrowly hit the front when falling at the final fence in the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase at Doncaster in January, WALKING ON AIR can make amends today for the in-form Gary Brown. Wiseguy has run creditable races on his two starts this season and is feared most with the step up in trip a possible positive. Last year's Festival hunter chase winner Sine Nomine is next on the list ahead of Git Maker, who was second in this last March behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Inothewayurthinkin. Midnight Our Fred can run his usual good race, while Johnnywho has the assistance of the excellent Derek O'Connor.[Ben Hutton]
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Admirable 10yo who won a Grade 2 against males at Sandown (extended 2m6f, good) last April and was a close third of five in a Listed mares' chase at Newbury (extended 2m7f, soft) in January; could give another good account but defying joint top weight may prove tough; cheekpieces go on.
Won last season's Grand National Trial at Haydock (3m4f, heavy) and creditable third of 18 in the Troytown at Navan (3m, yielding) in November; sharing the lead when unseating at the first fence on the final circuit in Haydock's Grand National Trial last month; not ruled out.
Well beaten when 5-1 for Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle here 12 months ago but 2-4 over fences this term, the wins coming in small-field races over 2m7f/3m on soft/soft to heavy; has shown promise on good ground; only seven and open to further improvement for top Irish trainer Willie Mullins.
Could do with cutting out the errors and hasn't kicked on from chase debut win in three-runner novice at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) in October; however, it was a highly likeable win and he ran better than the beaten margin suggests when third of three in Grade 2 novice at Windsor (3m, soft) latest; retains potential; no surprise if things click today under Derek O'Connor.
Grade 1 novice hurdle winner in April 2022 and well treated on novice chase form from late 2022; returned from long absence with fair sixth over hurdles in December; heavy ground may have been too much over fences at Sandown last month but he was pulled up and others have less to prove.
Mixed form in this novice chase campaign but ran pretty well at Punchestown (extended 2m6f, soft) three weeks ago and today's extra emphasis on stamina could prove ideal, with his best hurdle form having come over 3m; has run well on yielding ground; only seven and not discounted for good Irish yard.
Easily won five-runner handicap at Doncaster (3m, good) in January on first run back with this yard, and he's effective here; however, an 8lb rise proved beyond him when only fifth back at Doncaster (3m2f, good) just 12 days ago; reapplied tongue-tie and first-time visor replace cheekpieces.
Ninth (faded) in last year's Pertemps Final over hurdles here when 4lb higher; hasn't produced best form over fences but didn't run badly over 3m3f at Punchestown latest and this lightly raced 7yo represents a top Irish yard with a good record in this race; cheekpieces go on; not written off.
Won over C&D (good) last April and reappeared with good third at Chepstow (2m7f, good) in October; ran well for a long way in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh (3m7f, good to soft) last month only to fail to get home; might not be far away now back down in trip.
Got up close home to win the hunter chase at last season's Festival (3m2f, soft) and has also run well on good ground here; she's unseated/fallen on both starts this season but she was keeping on when departing two out at Wetherby (3m, good to soft) in December and today's stiffer test of stamina will be right up her street; could be a player granted a clear round.
Below best on both starts this term and didn't jump well at Haydock latest, but it wasn't a bad run from out of the weights; now just 1lb higher than when 8l second to handicap blot in this race last year (soft) and can play a leading role if back on song now in cheekpieces; has won on good to soft.
Stayed on for second at Fairyhouse (2m4f, yielding) in December on fourth chase start and got off the mark in this sphere at Punchestown (extended 2m6f, soft) in January; this is tougher but she travelled well and found plenty last time, and this step up in trip could unlock further improvement.
Runner-up three times in a row here last season (3m1f-3m4f, good/soft) and better than ever this term, winning easily at Gowran Park (2m4f, good) in October before 7l second of 27 in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown (3m, good to yielding) in December; races prominently; solid claims.
Won over hurdles on stable debut at Navan (2m4f, soft) in January and creditable third in mares' handicap chase at Punchestown (2m6f, heavy) last month; there's stamina in her pedigree but today's step back up in trip isn't an obvious positive judged on racecourse evidence.
Inconsistent and jumping is a worry (fell last time); well-beaten fourth in this last year; however, he bolted up in the Punchestown Grand National Trial last February and looked a big threat in the Welsh National in December, only to make a blunder four out; capable if all falls into place.
Some good runs in handicaps during this novice campaign, finishing second here (2m4f, good) in November and at Leicester (extended 2m6f, soft) in January; it was a small field last time but he boxed on well behind a progressive winner and it's possible this step up in trip will suit.
Has an in-and-out profile and his jumping can be an issue; however, he did well to rally for a cosy win after a slow jump at the final fence on his reappearance at Newbury (extended 2m6f, good to soft) in November, and the manner in which he stayed on for a fair sixth at Ascot (3m, good) last month suggests today's extra yardage will be a positive; interesting.
Weakened when well-beaten fifth in this last season (soft); however, this 8yo could be stronger one year on and he's run well in third on his two starts this winter (3m5f/2m6f, yielding/soft); each-way shout.
His win at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in November 2023 reads very well and he returned from an absence with two creditable runs in defeat in November 2024 (2m3f/2m4f, good/good to soft); however, two lesser runs have followed and there are doubts about both his stamina and his current form.
10yo who posted his first win since November 2022 when scoring by half a length at Down Royal (3m, good to yielding) in January; however, he could be vulnerable now back up the weights in this much hotter race.
On a competitive mark on last season's best chase form at up to 3m and he won over hurdles in December (2m5f, good to soft) in a first-time visor; however, only fifth over hurdles last time and soundly beaten in sixth in this race 12 months ago; first-time blinkers replace visor; others appeal more.
Returned to form with a bang at Doncaster (3m, good) in January on fourth start for yard, when he was narrowly ahead when falling at the final fence in a competitive handicap; back up 4lb he remains well treated on 2023 hurdle/chase form; key player for in-form stable if backing up latest run.
Won the Sussex National (3m4f, soft) at Plumpton last season and went very close in that same race last month (soft; also effective on good going); however, he faded last season on both previous runs here (including in this race) so there's a question mark regarding the suitability of Cheltenham.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4,5
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
