It could be third-time lucky in this race for ITS ON THE LINE. He was the 11-8 favourite when runner-up for the second successive year 12 months ago but he trades at bigger odds now after two underwhelming defeats in Ireland. However, the ultra-shrewd Emmet Mullins will have had eyes on only this prize. Billaway suffered two seconds here before having the last laugh in 2022. Former classy handicappers have done well in this and 2023 Kim Muir winner Angels Dawn, who has the mares' allowance that greatly helped last year's winner Sine Nomine, is back on a roll after winning both her points. The same is true of Fairly Famous who is 2-2 at Cheltenham and he's still a rising force, as is the highly regarded Willitgoahead who only recently joined Gordon Elliott.[Alistair Jones]
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In the same colours when third in the 2020 Triumph and fourth in the following year's Arkle; rediscovered some form back over hurdles last year for James Owen and has gone on to win two small-field 3m points, beating What A Glance by 3l in the penultimate one; he likes to crack on up front and his stamina could be stretched over this extra yardage; proven in this headgear combination.
Smart back in the day for Nicky Henderson; an 11yo now and after winning his first hunter chase he was hammered by Shearer at Ffos Las (2m5f; heavy was no excuse); opposable.
Useful when at his peak for Gordon Elliott but has never been a prolific winner and has no realistic chance here on what he's achieved in Irish points; new stable.
Had flashes of good form when with Gavin Cromwell but was inconsistent; won a point and a hunter chase (cheekpieces returned) within the space of 12 days last month but it's very questionable whether he can mix it with the best of today's opposition.
Had to dig pretty deep to win this year's two points in Ireland (3m, good to yielding) and he's 0-3 over regulation fences; needs a huge spike in his form to make any significant impact in this.
Belied his 66-1 odds to finish fourth in this race 12 months ago but he was no threat to the principals; he's now a year older and returns for another crack after some underwhelming performances.
Unbeaten in his two visits here (on good and soft), latterly when emerging from off the pace over C&D last May to beat the 2023 winner of this (Premier Magic); has a fair shout on that form and this track probably suits him better than Stratford where later that month he was ridden more prominently and finished just under 5l behind What A Glance; arrives here with confidence buoyed after no-nonsense wins between the flags; merits attention.
Eight wins over rules fences include two hunter chases last year; joined this yard for £30,000 in October; suited by good ground but he was too free for his own good after a break when tailed off behind Bardenstown Lad at Fakenham; even should he give himself a greater chance here, his form credentials aren't that persuasive; cheekpieces return.
Dual point winner who was a near 12l third to What A Glance at the hunter chase meeting here last May (3m1f, soft) and returned from a break to keep Shearer honest at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) despite a bad mid-race mistake; could run well but is unlikely to be good enough at the age of 11.
His only defeat under rules during last season's highly productive campaign came when collared late on in this race, having also finished runner-up in it the year before as a 6yo; went on to win the big hunter chases at Aintree (2m5f, heavy; very easily) and Punchestown (3m, yielding) last spring; needs to right the wrongs of two disappointing runs in Irish hunter chases this winter (odds-on for both) - latterly behind Ryehill and Ontheropes - but he's way too talented to be left out of the reckoning; probably effective on any ground.
Low-mileage 9yo; beat a talented hunter chaser when wearing the new cheekpieces at Warwick (3m, good to soft) last time; has appreciably more on his plate now and was a long way behind Fairly Famous here last May; the latter was not at his best when those placings were reversed at Stratford later in the month (both behind What A Glance); a minor role looks on the cards.
Won a hunter chase at Fairyhouse in November (3m, good) but he was only fifth behind the improving Willitgoahead at Thurles the last time; there's no obvious reason why he should reverse those placings.
Eighth in the 2022 Champion Bumper for Gordon Elliott and was twice placed here over hurdles; this is a very belated return to rules action and he lacks any experience of regulation fences, but he's been impressive enough in his recent points to be quite a market mover for this; respected.
Won the 2021 Munster National for Willie Mullins and contested plenty of other strong handicaps for that yard, not beaten far in last season's Scottish National; best days are surely behind him now at 11, but he won a point in January and ran well when dividing Ryehill and Its On The Line at Naas (3m1f, soft); assured stamina ticks a big box and he could have some say.
Has a good record on the cross-country course here but is no longer the force of old, for all that he's been more than holding his own in recent points; readily opposed.
Had won five points on the bounce before finishing a 4l fourth in this two years ago and he won another three not long after, including a 4l defeat of Its On The Line; it's questionable whether he's quite in the same form now, despite getting his head back in front last time.
Remote fourth to Its On The Line at Punchestown last May but he's a scopey, lightly raced 8yo who has raised his game this winter, finishing 6l off Angels Dawn in a point before beating Ontheropes and Its On The Line with a degree of comfort at Naas (3m1f, soft); it could be that he ideally needs plenty of ease underfoot but interesting otherwise with his profile firmly on the up.
Unbeaten over regulation fences, having won two handicaps at about 3m in 2023 and come back from a long absence to win hunter chases at Ffos Las (2m5f, heavy) and Taunton (2m7f, good to soft); Haven't Time gave him something to think about last time and this demands more of him, probably a lot more; the cheekpieces he wore for those handicap wins are back on; Paul Nicholls has won this four times.
Beat the useful Famous Clermont (former Aintree Foxhunters' winner) in a point last month but his hunter chase defeats at Taunton (behind Angels Breath) and Haydock don't bode well ahead of this tougher examination.
His recent point wins have come easily, latterly at the expense of Plan Of Attack; clearly in good nick but probably punching above his weight in this company.
Won at the hunter chase meeting here last May (3m1f, soft) and followed up in Stratford's Horse And Hound Cup (3m3f, good), latter at the expense of Lift Me Up and a below-par Fairly Famous; won't fail through a lack of stamina and recent point defeats weren't shoddy efforts by any means.
Initial point form in Ireland was nothing to crow about but his career has taken off since October, winning three points and impressive in a Thurles hunter chase last time (3m1f, good) where his jumping took the eye; the bare form of that race isn't overly strong but he won easily and the RPR was smart; looks a rising force and has since been snapped up by one of Gordon Elliott's powerful owners; now makes debut for that yard; has won on soft but drier ground could be the key to him.
Only three runs over regulation fences but he was third in a Grade 2 in 2022 and fourth in a good novice handicap here in late 2023; signed off for the Bowen yard last summer with respectable runs over hurdles and hasn't been overly pressed to win two small-field points in Ireland for this stable; positive jockey booking and brings each-way hopes provided a 131-day break doesn't come back to bite him.
Past handicappers have a good record and this mare fits the bill, having won the Kim Muir here two years ago; she was challenging the thrown-in Inothewayurthinkin when falling two out in last season's edition of that same race; has gone 2-2 in points this term and had far too much for the respected Ryehill last time; worthy of her prominence in the betting.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
