In this race last year Duke Of Deception and Haute Estime made the frame and both enter the reckoning after pleasing runs last time, while it's easy to make a case for the upwardly mobile Caeruleum (second choice). There should also be a big run in FERN HILL (nap) who emerged from the shadows with a much brighter display at Fakenham and he has dropped to a tempting mark.[Alistair Jones]
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Former Welsh National runner-up but rarely seems up for the challenge these days and was beaten a distance on his sole completion this season; new headgear provides some cause for optimism but far too risky to trust.
Front-runner with a good strike-rate over fences and ran well in his hat-trick bid at Ascot (3m), finding only one too good; however, he is unraced beyond 3m1f and the handicapper may now have his measure.
Runner-up in this last year and went on to suffer another near miss over further at Perth; back on song of late, finishing within 3l of Rockinastorm at Wetherby (3m, soft; tongue tied) and again third in the reapplied cheekpieces at Aintree; appears to have little margin for error off this mark but has each-way claims.
Rated much higher in the past so Newbury last time was disappointing (3m2f, good to soft) after going up just 3lb for winning a small-field handicap at Wincanton (3m1f, soft); getting back on soft ground should help and he'll stay okay.
His profile is all or nothing and when winning at Exeter last month (3m, soft) only two others completed; however, he's a relentless galloper and this is his sort of race.
Lightly raced 9yo who has been consistent in staying chases at up to 3m1f but stamina appeared stretched over 3m6f at Exeter (soft) last time; will need to see this out better and the change of headgear is a grey area.
Knows what these races are about and was mostly in good form last season; however, he never got involved before pulling up on his Windsor reappearance (3m4f) and that leaves him with questions to answer.
Confined to only two starts last season when pulled up and suffered the same fate on reappearance at Haydock (3m4f, soft); potentially well handicapped but much depends on what effect the new blinkers might have (good and bad in cheekpieces).
Got himself well handicapped after losing his way and things might be looking up after going down narrowly at Fakenham (3m5f, good to soft; rallied late on); strongly considered.
Only beaten 4l in this last year when 5lb higher and best run since was her latest when runner-up at Kelso (3m2f); although some 14l off the winner, she was on the back foot after early interference and ran well all things considered; respected.
Front-runner; pulled up in his final chase and was well beaten when completing over hurdles last time; an 11yo who struggles with his consistency these days.
Looked a chaser to follow when storming clear at Doncaster 12 months ago (3m, soft; second run in a visor) but hasn't been that competitive in his three subsequent runs; trainer rolls the dice with new headgear.
Has a similar profile to stablemate Valleres in that he's lost his way but now tries new headgear off a much reduced mark; couldn't put a line through him.
Short in chasing experience for a race of this nature, having steered clear of fences since finishing fourth of six runners in a handicap in late 2022; has at least rediscovered some form over hurdles for his new yard but others are safer propositions.
Has found improvement from somewhere to win back-to-back 3m2f handicaps with seemingly lots to spare, on soft and good to soft; raised in grade here and hit with 10lb for last time, but this 7yo looks firmly on the upgrade.
Off the same mark as when winning this 12 months ago on heavy ground and he returns after a better run at Chepstow where he battled on for second behind an improving winner; could be dangerous in first-time blinkers, having responded well to new aids in the past.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
