Cases can be made for a few of these but preference is for TAKE ALL (nap), who has done very well for Myles Osborne this year and was creeping into contention before his mishap at the Festival in March. Aintree runner-up Jet Plane is second choice, ahead of last year's winner Rebel Dawn Rising.[Chris Wilson]
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Struggled to get competitive in last month's Aintree Foxhunters' but was in good form over regulation fences beforehand, most notably when winning at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) in February; will also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; each-way claims at least.
Useful handicapper with 4-9 strike-rate over fences; needs to prove he's fully effective on a left-handed track but ran better than finishing position (ninth) suggests in valuable race at Ascot (3m, soft) in February and will be suited by the forecast good ground on hunter chase debut.
Six-time chase winner who ran a big race when second over the big Aintree fences last month (2m5f, good to soft); rarely runs on ground quicker than good to soft but has a major role to play if handling the conditions.
Won this race 12 months ago (soft) and, after a below-par reappearance run, returned to form with a narrow success at Newbury (good to soft) six weeks ago; may not be ideally suited by the faster ground here but still features prominently in calculations.
Useful handicap chaser in his prime and won easily on hunter chase debut last spring; may have a preference for right-handed tracks but he returned from ten-month layoff with a fairly good second of five behind Take All at Ludlow (2m4f, good) last month and has a fighting chance here.
Close second in this race for Michael Scudamore in 2023 and was a fairly useful handicapper for Neil Mulholland afterwards but has not fired on either of two starts for new stable this year; others have less to prove.
Comfortably won conditions point on stable debut in February and was predictably far too good for modest rival in two-runner hunter chase at Exeter (3m, good) in March; evidently in good nick but has considerably more on his plate here.
Took a notable scalp in an open in February and was still going okay when falling three out at the Festival here (3m2f, good to soft) in March; too good for Cap Du Mathan at Ludlow (2m4f, good) since; leading contender.
Thorough stayer who ran well for a long way when eighth in last month's Aintree Foxhunters'; seems to be on the downgrade now, though, and would appeal much more on soft/heavy ground; sports first-time cheekpieces.
Teenager who is yet to add to his 2022 victory in this race; will be suited by the forecast good ground but this year's form is a long way below the standard required today.
Won minor point for Will Biddick two years ago but was not seen again until 45l defeat in Alnwick restricted in December and can't be recommended at this level.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
