Drying ground will be of benefit to Northern Poet who races off the same mark as when winning at Doncaster a week ago, while Sound And Fury is respected despite being rather fortunate in winning his two chases. However, the vote goes to the unexposed 7yo ILLICO DE COTTE (nap) who shapes as though this even stiffer test will suit him well.[David Bellingham]
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Unexposed 7yo who has already shown himself a dour stayer, as when winning on his return from six months off at Carlisle (3m2f, good to soft) in October; drying ground could pose a question, but the longer trip should suit and he probably still has plenty more to offer.
Regular in marathon chases who bounced back to form when second of 14 in this headgear combination at Bangor (3m6f, soft; 40-1) last month; back up 5lb and despite some fine efforts he has gone 22 starts without a win since November 2020; others more solid.
Has responded well to headgear and is 2-4 over fences (both wins over 3m on soft ground) since returning from a year off in November, but he was fortunate to win those races as in each case his main danger made a complete mess of the final fence; shapes like a real stayer an remains unexposed as a chaser, so not discounted.
Won over fences here (2m4f, good) and at Cheltenham (3m1f, soft) in 2023, but contrasting performances in his last five starts; 2lb below his last winning mark, but not quite sure what to expect.
Inconsistent since his latest win at Haydock (3m2f, soft) a year ago and still 5lb higher; pulled up at Bangor (3m6f; soft) last month (The Big Breakaway second) and is down the list.
Last four wins have come on good ground as when rallying gamely to just land a conditional jockeys' veterans' chase at Doncaster (3m) a week ago; 1-1 around here and respected off the same mark as last time, especially if conditions continue to dry out.
12yo who has been a useful chaser in his time (9-57) and is 10lb below his last winning mark, but has plenty to prove after pulling up in his last two starts.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
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