2023 winner Law Of Gold (second choice) contests this race for the fourth year running and can give a good account, while recent Ludlow winner Jeffery's Cross looks interesting on this first venture beyond 3m2f. However, it might be worth chancing GO GO GERONIMO, who is well suited by a marathon trip on good ground and can be excused last month's defeat over the big Aintree fences. Blagthebookies and Myth Buster also make the shortlist.[Chris Wilson]
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Dual handicap chase winner (3m2f/3m) on slow ground for Olly Murphy in the early part of 2024 but left that yard after disappointing in January and may find conditions too lively on stable/hunter chase debut.
Veteran who stayed on well for creditable third in this race 12 months ago (soft ground); not firing on all cylinders this year but took step back in right direction when second in a good-ground point last month.
Dug deep to win low-grade Fontwell handicap (3m2f, good) for Anthony Honeyball last spring but has struggled in both points for new stable this year and faces another tough task here.
Ran well in only one of six hurdling starts for Dan Skelton last season and, having rejoined Sam Loxton, was pulled up in a hunter chase in February; last of three finishers in 4m point last month; revival needed.
Fair handicapper who drew nicely clear to make winning hunter chase debut at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) nine days ago; could quite plausibly have untapped potential over marathon trips; high on the list.
Fairly useful under rules for Nicky Henderson in 2023 and was evidently suited by the thorough stamina test when winning open point at Kingston Blount (4m, soft) in February; slightly disappointing when only third behind Norton Hill and Assassins Lullaby on good ground in March, though.
Saw out 3m4f pretty well when 7l second to comfortable winner Norton Hill in good-ground point in March but well beaten in small-field Exeter hunter chase on last month's rules debut; looks up against it.
Useful in his prime under rules and won four Irish points last year; struggled when making stable debut at the Festival here in March, though, and is quite tricky to weigh up at present; headgear switched today.
Beaten off lowly mark on chase/handicap debut for Harry Derham on latest rules start one year ago but came good for new stable with two recent point wins and evidently a better horse now; not ruled out each-way.
Useful staying chaser in his prime but became very disappointing for Venetia Williams during 2023-24 season; made the frame in Taunton hunter chase (2m7f, good to soft) for new stable in February but beat only one rival when winning a recent point; others look stronger.
Highly promising as a novice chaser for Nicky Henderson in 2022 but lightly raced and generally very disappointing since; won minor point for new stable in March but held in that sphere since; sports new headgear here; others are much more persuasive.
Formerly very useful for Gordon Elliott but made low-key stable/hunter chase debut in February and his three subsequent pointing seconds all came in small fields; swaps visor for refitted blinkers today.
Struggled in last month's Aintree Foxhunters' but his sights are lowered here and he's largely consistent in points/hunter chases; suited by a marathon trip on good ground; might be the answer.
5-21 in points; showed only minor promise in two maiden hurdles (2m3f/2m4f) for new stable towards end of last season but is open to improvement over this new trip on his chasing debut; interesting.
Unsuited by soft ground when pulled-up favourite in this race one year ago but won it by 16l on good ground in 2023 and has mostly been in good form in points this year; not getting any younger but commands respect.
Rarely seen under rules in recent years but has a 4m point win on his CV and ran a big race in defeat in 4m1f open at Sheriff Hutton (good) last month; shortlisted.
Signed off for Anthony Honeyball with a disappointing hurdle run last spring but seemingly back in good form in points for Harry Ryall this year, most notably when beating Assassins Lullaby by 7l in Cothelstone open (3m4f, good) in March; has cheekpieces refitted here; could have a say.
In-form 9yo who made all under Cian Murphy for two easy wins in good-ground conditions points this spring (3m/3m6f); faces much tougher opposition on first rules start since April 2023 but still considered.
Fair handicap chaser for Alexandra Dunn, winning twice over 2m7f in spring 2023, but fell on his only appearance last season (sole start for Rebecca Menzies) and his current ability is hard to gauge.
