Coco Mademoiselle (second choice) is turned out quickly after winning comfortably last week at Perth and is clearly a danger to all off a 7lb higher mark. Destroytheevidence, Slipway and Will Carver are all of interest, but VINTAGE FIZZ (nap) wasn't far behind the last-named at Ayr three weeks ago despite not jumping as well as he can. Often strong at the finish over shorter trips, today's extra yardage is well worth exploring.[Alistair Jones]
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Fared respectably in the Galway Plate before leaving Noel Meade for 60,000gns last August; tailed off over hurdles on stable debut before pulling up when 100-1 for the Grand National; an 11yo now and has to concede plenty of weight all round.
6lb higher than when beating Cheltenham/Fairyhouse hero Haiti Couleurs at Chepstow in October (2m7f, good to soft) and has only just missed out in small-field 3m chases the last twice (soft/good); has a big role to play.
0-4 over fences since a winning start in this discipline but ran well behind subsequent Cheltenham scorer Riskintheground at Ayr last month (2m4f, good to soft); unraced beyond 2m5f under rules but won a point at 3m and likes this good ground.
On the same mark as when beating Pull Again Green at Chepstow in October (2m7f, good) and better again to finish third next time at Ascot; however, wasn't great after a break at Newbury last month and has just lost his way.
50-1 when departing early in the Ultima at Cheltenham (first-time tongue-tie) but didn't arrive there with his head held high after two modest runs; however, well handicapped on his peak form and still not exposed as a stayer.
Won over hurdles after wind surgery and then ran okay to be fourth over 3m at Kempton in a race he won the previous season; there's nothing wrong with his mark and always a chance that blinkers will bring him on.
Not at his best the last twice on either side of a break but ran some solid races last season at about 3m and he won't mind returning to good ground; handicapped to be competitive.
Off for 77 days but has a good record when fresh and had been absent for 56 days when winning a 2m5f handicap on this card 12 months ago; however, all his best form is over shorter trips and drying ground is another possible issue.
Only had the five runs over fences; travelling with purpose when unseating three out at Cheltenham (good) and readily made amends at Perth last week (3m, good to soft), justifying short-priced favouritism; could still be on favourable terms with the handicapper upped 7lb.
33-1 winner of the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster (3m2f, good) two runs back, repeating his 2023 victory in the same race; however, he ran very flat at Cheltenham only 17 days ago and he has form there.
A number of good runs in defeat in the last year including the last twice on either side of a lengthy break, finishing second in the Grand Sefton at Aintree (2m5f) and third at Ayr three weeks ago when behind Will Carver; running style suggests 3m is well worth a go.
It was a good race in which he finished third at Ayr three weeks ago (3m, good to soft) but he seemed stretched by that step up in distance and regular partner Harry Skelton jumps ship.
Given his hurdling ability it was a low-key start over fences and when coming good at Huntingdon (2m7f, good; first-time cheekpieces) he beat an exposed 11yo in a field of four; however, perhaps something has clicked and he remains on a good mark.
He was winning the Edinburgh National for a second time at Musselburgh in February (3m7f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces), after which he struggled in the Scottish National; 8lb higher than for that last win but he can deal with this high a mark; what's offputting is the trip.
Ran well last time behind a lightly raced chaser but had no excuses and he's been plying his trade at a lower level; the new blinkers could work but he's 6lb out of the weights.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
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