Cilaos Glace was a strong-finishing second over shorter last time and on ground faster than ideal. He was out of his comfort zone there but should be very much in it today with the going coming in his favour. Big chance on a track he likes.
Reset Button showed his first semblance of form when fifth denied a run around here and then improved when a close third last time at Newcastle. Unfortunately he has a horrible draw but if he can get a clear run he could go very close again.
Universal Folly won well last time and seems to be on the upgrade. It's a boys' race so you're somewhat in the lap of the gods, but if Conor can steer clear of trouble his 10lb claim against fellow conditionals will be a big help. Hopeful of the follow-up.
Raddle And Hum won over hurdles in the summer but I'm confident she will be a better chaser. This is her debut and one or two lower down are obviously going to be dangerous, but she is bred for the job as three-parts sister to Aye Right who won the Rehearsal Chase the other day.…
For a long time Lady Jane P looked the likely winer of her comeback run at Worcester, but she was just outstayed near the line, finishing a creditable second. This is a better race but she is progressive and must have place chances.
It's a tough call for First Flow over this trip and on this better ground. He is in fine form at home and I would be delighted to see him run well and get the trip as it would open up new options. Place chances.
King Of The South won very nicely at Newcastle and was clearly very happy to be back on all-weather after his warm-up at Doncaster. Up 3lb for that and on a sharper track but similar surface, he should not be inconvenienced as he was a good second there over shorter late last year. Obvious chance…
This has been the target for Snow Leopardess ever since her impressive comeback win at Bangor. She jumps well but you never know how they will react to the Grand National fences. I'm hopeful and optimistic of her going very close and nervously looking forward to it.
Grand Du Nord is a nice horse who won his bumper well last term. He needed his run here the other day but will enjoy the easier ground and the step up in trip. Non-runners mean there are only two places so each-way betting is less of an option, but he should make the frame.
Rubytwo is what she is, a great servant who we would like to see win another race before she visits a stallion in the New Year. She's in good order and it would be perfect if she could defy the odds and gain that win today.
Tip Top Cat is in great form and loves the track. We need to make plenty of use with him as he's dropping back in trip but we anticipate another very good run. Should go close.
Voyburg ran well last time when a good second at Huntingdon. This track should suit him and a repeat of that run should ensure he finishes in the first three or hopefully better.
Miss Fairfax gallops and stays but I'm still not certain this two and a half miles on good to soft is far enough for her. She has ground to make up on the Twiston-Davies horse on their bumper running together when she made her debut. Hopeful of a decent run but she hasn't had too…
Sophosc is in the right race and stamina is not an issue. The potential worry with him is that if there is a dawdle on up front then he might be too keen and compromise his chance. Let's hope there's a good gallop.
We like Guerlain De Vaux a lot. He jumps well and is a much bigger price than I expected. Sure to go well and I'm very hopeful he will finish in the first three.
Charming Paradise didn't run too badly last time at Lingfield running on well after going very wide on the home turn. My worry is we're going back rather soon with him but he could go close.
Meadow Sprite has been running well. Earlier this morning I thought 16/1 looked very unflattering but I see now she is much shorter. She has run well on her last three starts and should do so again. I just wish it was a 0-60 rather than 0-70. There's a big difference!
Carlow Farmer did not seeem to enjoy jumping fences as the letters rather than form figures after his name testify. Hopefully back over hurdles he can regain some confidence in this modest maiden contest.
The scarcity of races of this class and distance - none for three weeks - means that three or four of these with inter-twined form meet each other and Hannalite is probably held by a couple of them. That said she got a strange ride last time, up front, dropping back and then challenging late…