Last year's winner Hidden Heroics defends his crown from a 5lb lower mark and, with cheekpieces refitted, can give this a good shot from the front. However, his former stablemate ASHTOWN LAD has slipped to a very tempting mark and is given the vote in the hope he can build upon last month's encouraging reappearance run. AJP Kingdom was third in a competitive Cheltenham marathon two starts ago and can also feature.[Chris Wilson]
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Flopped badly at Cheltenham last month but was in career-best form beforehand, winning quite stylishly at Hereford (3m1f, good) and Exeter (3m6f, good to firm); still unexposed over marathon trips; contender if back on song.
Won comfortably at regular haunt Chepstow (3m6f, good) in March and was probably unlucky not to follow up there (3m2f, good; in front when sprawling on landing at final fence) last month; went up another 5lb after the latter run, though, and may not be quite so effective on this sharper track.
Badly out of form for Dan Skelton in 2023-24 season but returned from 13-month absence with encouraging third for Greenall and Guerriero stable at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in April; another 6lb lower on debut for latest new yard and Harry Cobden takes over from an amateur; interesting.
Not firing on all cylinders since returning from a break in March (four runs) but now 5lb lower than when making all for clearcut success in this race last year and the cheekpieces (worn for that success) are now refitted for the first time this year.
Rather disappointing when only fourth of five at Market Rasen (3m, good) three weeks ago but returned from break with creditable third of 14 at Cheltenham (3m4f, good) last month and has good claims here if judged on that performance.
Won two good-ground chases in November (3m/3m2f) and looked back in peak form when keeping on gamely to fend off My Gift To You at Fakenham (3m5f, good) this month; only 3lb higher here and still unexposed over this sort of trip.
Four-time chase winner, most recently at Sedgefield (3m2f, good) in October; stuck to his task very well when second to Stans The Man at Fakenham (3m5f, good) this month and enters calculations here, albeit he's back up to his career-high mark.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
