As is often the case in this race, some unexposed and improving pointers clash. It looks open, but IMPORTANT NOTICE beat Barton Snow (who has every chance in the opener) before bumping into one with a progressive profile on his final start. Clashhill is a must for the shortlist and making a case for him brings Mumbo Jumbo and Padgoes Legacy into the equation.[Alistair Jones]
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Made all in a match last time and in his two previous races he beat Padjoes Legacy and Mumbo Jumbo, albeit by narrow margins; on a roll and plenty to like.
Has won four of his last five points, the last two at odds-on; did it very comfortably the last time at Bitterley (3m, good to firm); improving by the looks and likely to feature if coping with these fences.
The ground was slow when struggling in his two previous hunter chases; clocked a similar time to Crawter when winning on the same card at Bitterley a month ago; only a 6yo and hard to dismiss.
No match for an improving pointer last time but had won his previous two, beating opening-race contender Barton Snow on the one occasion; must be considered.
Very capable pointer but well beaten by Important Notice in February and a line through the horse he beat last time also gives him a bit to find with that rival.
Useful chaser for Emma Lavelle; consistent pointer and closely matched with Clashhill on his penultimate run, since when he's won easily at High Easter (3m, good to firm); looks a player.
Beaten under 5l in this last year and then nearly won at Stratford; not at his best in latest point but won the time before and had previously given Clashhill a race at Horseheath; possible.
Would have found the ground too soft when well beaten in this 12 months ago (17-2); has since done well in points and mixed it with respectable opposition; possibilities.
Wide-margin winner of two 3m points late last year before an odds-on defeat when behind Liberty Rock; won easily at Exeter a month ago (3m, good), though was odds-on and didn't have a lot to beat; only six, though, and clearly in good form.
