Several of these have become hard to predict and this is not a race to approach with bravado. LYRICAL GENIUS ran well when third over 3m6f here last month and, with today's drop back in trip probably in his favour, he is taken to exploit his favourable mark. Pottlerath made a low-key reappearance in a 2m3f hurdle on soft ground last month but today's conditions ought to show him in a much better light and he is feared most. Max Dynamo and Aquila Sky are among the others with possibilities.[Chris Wilson]
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Produced career-best performance at Uttoxeter (3m2f, soft) last summer and will be fine on today's forecast good ground but returned from layoff with very disappointing run last month and needs to put that behind him.
Off the mark over fences at third attempt, in North Yorkshire Grand National at Catterick (3m6f, soft; also suited by good ground) in January, but was pulled up on both subsequent outings and it's hard to know what to expect from him here.
Good stalwart over the years, with nine wins on his CV; inconsistent nowadays and no longer the force of old but will be suited by today's trip/ground; no surprise if he goes well for Harry Cobden.
Thorough stayer who was creditable second in Highland National at Perth (3m6f, soft; good ground also suits) a year ago; posted another good effort in the autumn but has lost his way a bit since.
Late-blooming teenager who won posted career-best performance when scoring by 25l over C&D (good to soft) last season; ought to have coped better with the heavy ground when running poorly at Fontwell last month but today's much quicker conditions will suit; can't be ruled out.
Won three good-ground chases last spring (2m7f-3m1f) and signed off in the autumn with a good hurdle run (3m1f, good to form); never really featured when reappearing in 2m3f hurdle on soft ground last month but that run might have done him good, and today's trip-and-ground combination will suit him much better.
Seemingly back in good nick when keeping-on third at Catterick (3m1f, soft) last month, his third start after a long absence, and ought to be better suited by today's faster ground; raced a bit too freely and didn't jump well enough when well-held fifth at Huntingdon on latest outing but might fare better here.
Ended last season with a 2m7f hurdle win (good to soft) on this card and is now 8lb lower but has been out of form over hurdles and fences this term; needs to turn a corner.
0-10 over hurdles but twice went very close off mark 5lb higher than today's over this trip last year, and also ran well when third here (3m6f, soft) last month; fine on good ground and warrants serious consideration.
Had some excuses when well-held fifth over C&D (good to soft) a fortnight ago and is now back on same mark as when winning by over 7l on seasonal debut at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) in November; not very reliable, though, and may find today's ground too lively.
Dominated this race in 2022 and caused 50-1 surprise in heavy-ground hurdle race on seasonal debut in January but his record in recent years is very mixed and it's always hard to predict how he'll run.
Made quite pleasing start to chasing career when second at Fontwell (2m5f, soft) in January but two disappointing efforts followed last month (cheekpieces added last time); still has plenty of time to turn things around but looks risky at present.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )