He needs to bounce back from a disappointing run at last month's Cheltenham Festival but another chance is given to MOON D'ORANGE, who did very well to overcome a last-fence jumping error and win over C&D in January. O'Moore Park made a shaky start to his chasing career but was a very good third over C&D last month and is feared most. Fugitif often harms his chance with sketchy jumping but, if he happens to get into a reasonably good rhythm today, he's handicapped to pose a potent threat from off the pace.[Chris Wilson]
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Good-ground specialist who came second in this race a year ago and was in career-best form in early part of last season; struggled to get competitive in Ryanair over C&D last month, though, and this 11yo faces another tough task under top weight today.
Kept on too stoutly for odds-on stablemate in three-runner Grade 2 at Gowran (2m4f, soft) in February and is now 3-10 over fences; current handicap mark probably demands another career-best performance but he should handle today's faster ground.
Career highlight when winning December Gold Cup over C&D (soft) in 2023; yet to reach peak form this season and not always a fluent jumper but his third in the 2024 December Gold Cup was a respectable effort and, if he avoids serious jumping errors, he can be dangerous off current mark; usually held up.
Cheltenham regular who looked as good as ever when winning Paddy Power Gold Cup on Old course here (2m4f, good) in November; only 3lb higher now but has not been in the same form since and needs to bounce back again.
Grade 2 novice chase winner last season; seen only once this term, when well-held fifth in Kempton handicap (2m4f, good to soft) in February, and has more to prove than some of these but might be aided by the refitted cheekpieces.
Fell in his first two chases but has got his act together since and was very creditable third behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Caldwell Potter in C&D (good to soft) novices' handicap at last month's festival; not yet fully exposed; major player off same mark today.
Quirky customer who tends to idle when in front; cajoled to narrow success by Kielan Woods at Wetherby (1m7f, good to soft) in December and will be fine over today's longer trip but his last two runs were below par and others in the line-up are much less risky.
Not much went to plan at the festival last month but he recovered well from a last-fence error to win narrowly over C&D (soft) on Trials day in January and will also be suited by today's faster ground; 3lb out of the weights but good 5lb claimer Callum Pritchard is booked; might be the answer.
Pulled up three consecutive times during the winter but reportedly appreciated the better ground when winning at Newbury (2m4f, good) last month; effectively 7lb higher from 3lb out of the weights here but remains lightly raced over fences.
Surged back to peak for at Ayr (2m4f, good to soft) on Friday, coming from off the pace to win readily by over 4l; effectively 10lb higher from out of the weights here but still worth his place in the line-up.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
